FBI ACKNOWLEDGES FATAL CONFRONTATION IN HAVERSTRAW, DECLINES TO CONFIRM IDENTITY OF DECEASED

BY DYLAN SKRILOFF

The FBI has confirmed that an event this morning culminated in the death of a man in Haverstraw. However, the FBI would not confirm the identity of the deceased individual, despite widespread conversation on social media that the individual was a Haverstraw police officer. The Haverstraw PD referred all comments to the FBI.

Amy J. Thoreson, Public Affairs Specialist for the FBI told the Rockland County Times, “While conducting a law enforcement vehicle stop this morning, FBI Agents and task force officers approached a man who was the only occupant of a stopped vehicle.  During the approach, the man drew a handgun and shot himself.  He died of the self-inflicted wound.”

The incident appears to be connected to the closure of Rosman Rd. for a period of time this morning.

Around 3:30 p.m. the North Rockland Daily Voice confirmed the identity of the individual as retired police officer, 9/11 hero and noted celebrity strongman Gerard Benderoth.

Read more about Benderoth’s life here: http://northrockland.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/retired-haverstraw-nypd-officer-american-strongman-commits-suicide/702711/ and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Benderoth.

Michael Hull contributed to this report