The DEA Honor Roll

On August 25, 2012, active First Grade Detective and DEA Delegate from Brooklyn North Homicide, John F. Kristoffersen, passed away from cancer related to his work on the rescue and recovery from the World Trade Center attacks. He was just 2-1/2 months shy of his 51st birthday.

Det. Kristoffersen was born and raised in Lindenhurst, Long Island, and went to Farmingdale State University. He served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT at the West Islip Fire Department before he was appointed to the NYPD on January 4, 1984.

Det. Kristoffersen served his entire tenure in Brooklyn North. During his distinguished career, John served in the 79th and 77th Precincts, and the OCCB/Narcotics Division, where he earned his gold shield in 1991. He was transferred to the 77 Squad in July of 1993 and finally Brooklyn North Homicide in October of 2000. He earned second grade in February of 2003 and first grade in June of 2007. Kristoffersen was elected Delegate by his Squad in March of 2006.

Det. Kristoffersen made 700 arrests during his 27-year career and won numerous Departmental accolades. He was known for always smiling and making people laugh. He was called “Papa Bear” not only by his family, but his colleagues as well. He had a positive and strong outlook and a great sense of humor.

In June of 2016, the intersection of South Fulton Avenue and Houston Street in Lindenhurst was renamed NYPD First Grade Det. John Kristoffersen Memorial Street.

Learn more about Det. First Grade John F. Kristoffersen from the following articles from the union magazine, The Gold Shield:

From The Gold Shield Winter 2013 – Kristoffersen Biography

From The Gold Shield – Kristoffersen Street Renaming

From The Gold Shield – Kristoffersen – Florida Student Memorial