According to police and sources, an off-duty NYPD investigator was killed early Friday on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Orange County on his way home when his car veered off the road at an exit and struck a tree.
Authorities say that at 6:30 a.m., 17-year veteran Detective Charles Cato seemed to lose control of his car near Exit 19, near Bear Mountain State Park.
Sources claim that the car struck a tree and caught fire after veering onto the left shoulder of the exit ramp.
The investigator was taken by ambulance to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, where he was declared dead at 6:55 a.m., according to the police.
Detective Cato had been investigating shootings nonstop. He was resolute and courageous. According to Scott Munro, president of the Investigators Endowment Association, he would be missed by the public and the top investigators in the globe.
Records show that since 2019, Cato has been assigned to the Force Investigation Division, which carries out in-depth examinations into shootings involving police. In July 2007, he began working for the NYPD, and in 2017, he was promoted to third-grade detective.
Spokesman Jennifer Alvarez declined to comment, but said the state police are looking into the crash.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.