Attorney General's Office of Special Investigations Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Rensselaer County

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Sabeh Alalkawi, who died on February 22, 2023, in a motor vehicle incident involving members of the Troy Police Department (TPD).

In the early morning hours of February 22, Mr. Alalkawi was driving through an intersection in the City of Troy, when he was struck by a TPD vehicle responding to calls of a domestic incident. Mr. Alalkawi was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.