Man Dies After Domestic Dispute Response in Norfolk; Investigation Underway
The New York State Police are investigating the death of a Norfolk man following a tense domestic incident early Tuesday morning. The events unfolded on July 1, 2025, when Troopers were called to a reported domestic dispute involving a knife at a residence on O’Neil Road in the town of Norfolk.
According to police, the call came in around 12:43 a.m. from a 911 caller reporting that a weapon was involved. Troopers arrived to find an individual standing in the driveway holding a knife. Following repeated commands from responding officers, the person dropped the knife without incident. Troopers quickly learned that the person was actually the victim in the domestic dispute and had been threatened by another resident of the home, identified as Bernie K. Russo, age 47, of Norfolk.
The victim told Troopers that Russo was armed with an unspecified weapon and behaving aggressively inside the house. As officers gave commands for Russo to come outside, they could hear loud banging and disruptive noises coming from inside the residence. Russo eventually exited the home holding an unidentified object, which he also dropped after Troopers ordered him to do so.
Norfolk Man Collapses After Being Handcuffed
As Troopers prepared to secure the scene, Russo suddenly collapsed in the driveway, appearing to suffer a manic or medical episode, police reported. Concerned for the safety of everyone involved and in light of pending charges related to the domestic disturbance, Troopers placed Russo in handcuffs and immediately requested emergency medical assistance.
While waiting for medics to arrive, Russo became unresponsive. Troopers administered lifesaving measures until Massena Rescue arrived and took over, but unfortunately, Russo was pronounced dead despite their efforts.
In compliance with New York Executive Law Section 70-b, which requires independent review of deaths during law enforcement interactions, the New York State Attorney General’s Office has been notified and is assisting with the investigation. The cause of Russo’s death remains undetermined pending further investigation, including a possible autopsy to identify any medical conditions that may have contributed.
Authorities emphasized that the Troopers followed standard protocols in attempting to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of the individuals on scene. The name of the victim in the original domestic incident has not been released, and no other injuries were reported.
The State Police say the investigation is ongoing, with additional details to be released once available. Anyone with information relevant to the case is urged to contact State Police in Massena.
