Queens DA Seeks Public Help in Solving 2020 Murder of Correction Officer
Case Overview
On August 15, 2020, 28-year-old NYC Correction Officer John Jeff was gunned down at the corner of Defoe Street and Ridgedale Street in Springfield Gardens. The fatal shooting was captured by a nearby security camera, and the footage was not previously released publicly by investigators.
Investigation
The DA’s office has been investigating the case for over four years, and despite the case growing cold, it is still a priority. The investigation reveals that Jeff was a passenger in a black Chevy Malibu that briefly pulled over at a fire hydrant on Ridgedale Street. His female friend, a fellow correction officer, was behind the wheel of the Malibu. The driver attempted to reverse her vehicle but was blocked by a black Mercedes and a blue BMW. Jeff exited the Malibu and asked the drivers to back up, leading to a verbal altercation with the occupants of the Mercedes. Jeff identified himself as an officer and drew his firearm. The driver of the Mercedes put it in reverse, allowing Jeff to get back into the Malibu, which made a left turn onto Defoe Street.
Surveillance Video Release
The DA has released surveillance video of the cold case murder, which shows the events leading up to the fatal shooting. The video captures the moments just before and during the shooting, including the verbal disputes with the occupants of the Mercedes, the blue BMW, and the white Infinity.
Call for Public Help
The DA is seeking the public’s help in identifying the gunman or gunmen behind the cold-blooded murder. Anyone with information is urged to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (@NYPDTips). All tips are confidential, and a $30,000 reward is offered for information that leads to an arrest or arrests in the cold case homicide investigation.
Conclusion
The DA’s office is committed to solving this senseless and tragic murder, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and help us bring justice for John Jeff and his loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the case about?
- The case is about the murder of 28-year-old NYC Correction Officer John Jeff, who was gunned down on August 15, 2020, in Springfield Gardens.
- What is the motive behind the murder?
- The motive behind the murder is unknown, but it is believed to be related to a verbal altercation with the occupants of the Mercedes, the blue BMW, and the white Infinity.
- What is the current status of the investigation?
- The investigation is ongoing, and the DA’s office is seeking the public’s help in solving the case.
- How can I help?
- Anyone with information can call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), or submit their tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (@NYPDTips).
