Mourn Officer Who Died In Making Arrest

By REUVEN BLAU

Police Officer Russel Timoshenko, who was shot in the face and neck after he and his partner stopped a stolen car in Brooklyn, died of his injuries July 14.

RUSSEL TIMOSHENKO

Officer Timoshenko, 23, was surrounded by his family and colleagues from the 71st Precinct at Kings County Hospital when he succumbed five days after the shooting at 4:14 p.m.

'Unflinching Bravery'

"They did everything humanly possible to save Officer Timoshenko's life," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly told reporters outside the hospital shortly afterwards. "Officer Timoshenko made the ultimate sacrifice with unflinching bravery and dedication to duty. We'll never forget him, and we're committed more than ever to see to it that those responsible for this crime are prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

The fatal shooting occurred shortly after 2:15 a.m. on July 9, when Officer Timoshenko and his partner Herman Yan pulled over a black BMW in Prospect-Lefferts Garden, Brooklyn. The officers noticed that the computer in their squad car indicated that the BMW's license plate belonged to another car.

Officer Timoshenko got out first and approached the driver's side, where he was suddenly shot and struck in the head and neck. Officer Yan fired back, and was hit in the arm and chest, which was blocked by his bulletproof vest. He called for help, and responding officers rushed their colleagues to the hospital.

But doctors explained that the two bullets cut across Officer Timoshenko's spinal cord, which blocked his ability to breathe without the help of a respirator.

Murder Charged

Three men, who were apprehended last week, were charged with first degree murder on July 16, following Officer Timoshenko's death. Dexter Bostic and Robert Ellis, who were captured near Interstate 80 in northern Pennsylvania and Lee Woods, who was arrested in New York.

Authorities believe that Mr. Ellis and Mr. Bostic shot at the officers, and that Mr. Woods was driving the car when it was pulled over, but did not shoot.

"While I can't know the anguish they are going through, I want Russel's parents, Leonid and Tatyana, to know their son was a hero," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Despite the best efforts of the team of medical professionals at Kings County Medical Center, Russel has now left this world and is in the hands of God. May he rest in peace."

The wake will be held on July 17 and 18 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the IJ Morris Funeral Home, 1895 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, which is one block north of Kings Highway. The funeral is scheduled for July 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the same location.