Legendary Bronx Cop Set to Retire

Bronx Homicide Lt. Sean O'Toole (Right) with current and former officers in Homicide Task Force offices at the old "Fort Apache" 41 Precinct stationhouse on Simpson Street. -Photo by Bob Kappstatter

By Bob Kappstatter

Bronx Voice 

April 28, 2023

BRONX - Two Bronx police legends - one a popular annual event, the other its founder, are passing into borough cop history.

Bronx Homicide Task Force Lt. William Sean O'Toole's annual St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, held over the years on the day before the big parade in Manhattan, has drawn scores of NYPD brass, assistant district attorneys, and retired homicide detectives to the unit in the old "Fort Apache" 41st Precinct building on Simpson Street.

Each year's Irish food spread of corned beef, cabbage, and Shepherd's Pie has been cooked courtesy of the lieutenant's Dominican wife.

O'Toole, who joined the department in 1980, will end his 43-year career when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 63 in July.

He joined the homicide unit as a sergeant in 1991 during the crack epidemic, when the borough’s streets ran red with blood, accounting for almost half the city's 2,571 murders that year.

Though they still grab headlines, murders are nowhere near those levels today. The latest NYPD Compstat numbers through April 16, show 31 murders in the borough so far this year, a 26 percent drop over the same time last year, and a 78 percent drop from 30 years ago.

Some 95 people have been shot so far - down from 142 or 44 percent from the same time last year, and down 73 percent from 30 years ago. 

Department officials said O'Toole has consistently delivered some of the highest homicide clearance rates in the city, with an 81 percent clearance rate last year. 

Under his supervision, unit detectives have solved any number of high-profile crimes and cold cases going back years, including the arrests of three serial killers.

O'Toole, who defies the TV cop boss image with his calm, even-tempered demeanor, and his detectives have also worked with other NYPD, state, and federal units to take down scores of murderous drug gangs. All of which earned them a prestigious NYPD Unit Citation.

"What stands out about Sean, is his persistence in working cases," said Homicide Sergeant Tom McLaughlin. "If nobody answered a door in the victim's building, Sean will tell you, "Stay on it. Go back. Stay on it.”

Add to that O'Toole's reputation for an amazing memory.

"He can give you details on cases going back years," said Homicide Sergeant Jonathan Fredericks. "He'll paint a picture of the scene as if you were standing there. He's amazing.”

In one example, after seeing a police artist's sketch of a man wanted for sexually attacking teenage girls, O'Toole remembered busting him - 24 years prior. It led to a quick arrest and rape charges. 

"I've been very fortunate to work over the years with some of the most talented detectives - men and women - in the department," said O'Toole, "and with bosses who've supported and backed us up.”

Some murder cases have stuck with him a bit harder than others, he noted, especially involving children - "the ultimate innocents" - as well as older unsolved cases. 

“There's no statute of limitations on murder," said O'Toole, "and good detective work and DNA have helped us close a number of cold cases.”

O'Toole said he is also proud of the number of drug gangs his detectives have helped bring down - "and solved a number of old murders in the process.

"Knowing we've helped all the decent, hardworking people who've had to live with these violent gangs, that's been especially rewarding,” he said.