Retired NYPD Chief Anthony Izzo, 75, was found dead in the pool at his Long Island home Friday, and police do not suspect foul play.
Retired NYPD Chief Anthony Izzo died after being found in the pool at his Long Island home, a case that has left the New York City police community mourning one of its longtime leaders. Police said the discovery was made Friday evening at his Stony Brook residence.
The Suffolk County Police Department said a relative found Izzo inside the backyard pool around 7:45 p.m. First responders went to the home and performed CPR on the 75-year-old before he was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators do not suspect foul play.
Izzo’s death drew quick reactions from police organizations that remembered a career spent in public service. The Detective Endowment Association said he dedicated decades to protecting New Yorkers and supporting NYPD members. The 115th precinct in Jackson Heights, Queens, where Izzo once served as commanding officer, said his leadership left a lasting legacy.
Izzo’s path in law enforcement began early. He was the son of a New York City police officer and started his career at age 17 in 1968 as a police trainee. Over the years, he rose through the department and became chief of the Organized Crime Bureau in 2006. He also led the 115th precinct in 1995, a post that put him in charge of one of Queens’ busiest neighborhoods.
“Retired NYPD Chief Anthony Izzo, 75, was found dead in the pool at his Long Island home Friday, and police do not suspect foul play.”
That long climb through the ranks reflected an era when NYPD careers were built over decades of street-level work, command responsibility and institutional loyalty. Izzo became part of the generation that helped shape the department’s approach to organized crime and neighborhood policing during a period of major change in New York City. His service also connected him to the city’s strong network of police fraternal groups, including organizations that preserve departmental history and culture.
Among those groups, the NYPD Columbia Association described Izzo as a proud police chief and Italian-American. The nonprofit said he was a lifetime member, a former Man of the Year honoree and a longtime supporter and friend of the association. The tributes underscored how deeply he was woven into the NYPD family beyond his official assignments.
For New Yorkers, the news is a reminder that behind the city’s vast police bureaucracy are officers and chiefs whose careers span generations and leave a mark on neighborhoods, bureaus and fellow members alike. As his family and former colleagues grieve, the case now stands as a private loss to a public institution that remembers its leaders closely. The takeaway for readers is simple: Anthony Izzo’s death closes the book on a long NYPD career that earned respect across the department.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Anthony Izzo?
Anthony Izzo was a retired Nypd chief who began his law enforcement career in 1968 and later led the Organized Crime Bureau.
How was he found?
A relative found Izzo in the backyard pool at his Long Island home around 7:45 p.m. Friday.
What did police say about the case?
The Suffolk County Police Department said investigators do not suspect foul play.
How did police groups respond?
The Detective Endowment Association, the 115th precinct and the Nypd Columbia Association all issued tributes praising his service and legacy.
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