You are reading

Queens North Deputy Police Chief Dies of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

Queens North Deputy Police Inspector Steven Silks (in white shirt) with the Commanding Officer of 112th Precinct Jonathan Cermeli (middle) (Photo: QueensPost)

June 6, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan

A high-ranking police chief died yesterday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at the age of 62.

Queens North Deputy Police Chief Steven Silks. (NYPD)

Steven Silks, the deputy chief of Queens North, was found shot in an unmarked patrol car at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, just blocks from his office at the 112th Precinct Station house on Burns Street.

He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Silks was scheduled to retire from the police force next month, according to the New York Post. The NYPD’s mandatory retirement age is 63.

Friends and colleagues took to social media to express their condolences and share their memories of Silks.

“He was a one-of-a-kind, well-accomplished individual & an amazing storyteller,” Commanding Officer of the Queens North Patrol Bureau Assistant Chief Martin Morales posted on Twitter.

City Council Member Robert Holden shared his devastation upon learning that Silks had died.

“I’ve known him for many years and he was a great man and public servant,” Holden tweeted. “May he rest in eternal peace, and may we honor him for his service to our great borough and to the NYPD.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Hard Rock CEO outlines vendor opportunities for $8B Metropolitan Park casino project

May. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen addressed hundreds of Queens-based vendors and small business owners Thursday morning at the Queens Theatre, outlining how they could play a key role in shaping the proposed $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field—if the project is awarded one of the three downstate gaming licenses up for grabs later this year.

Beyond brunch: Unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Queens

May. 2, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With Mother’s Day just over a week away, there’s still plenty of time to plan something meaningful in Queens to celebrate the special women in your life. While brunch or dinner is always a classic choice, there are also unique and memorable ways to mark the occasion with family and friends. From candle-making workshops and floral arranging classes to beer tastings and hands-on crafting, here are some fun and heartfelt ways to celebrate Mother’s Day right here in the community.

Long Islander gets 20 years in prison for ‘sadistic’ months-long crime spree in Queens: DA

A Long Island man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday in Queens Supreme Court after pleading guilty to kidnapping, robbery, and promoting prostitution for three separate incidents.

Gil Iphael, 25, of Copiague Street in Valley Stream, lured his victims to Queens locations for sex with the help of his co-defendant, then his victims were detained, assaulted, and robbed. In one instance, Iphael tried to cut off a man’s toe and threatened to mutilate his genitals.