Probation Granted for Ex-FDNY Captain in Fatal Bay Shore Confrontation

A retired FDNY captain from Babylon, James Rogers, has been sentenced to five years of probation for causing the death of Mark Iacono, 65, of Patchogue. The sentencing, handed down by a Suffolk County judge on Monday, also mandates that Rogers adhere to "drug, alcohol and anger management conditions," as confirmed by Anna Sokol, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

The incident occurred on February 27, 2025, outside Bay Shore United Methodist Church. Both Rogers, who was 66 at the time, and Iacono had just concluded an evening Alcoholics Anonymous meeting when they became embroiled in an argument stemming from a business dispute. During the altercation, Rogers reportedly punched Iacono multiple times. Iacono subsequently suffered a heart attack at the scene and was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where he was pronounced dead.

Rogers, a 22-year FDNY veteran and a registered nurse who managed assisted living facilities, initially pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter the day after the physical altercation. However, an 18-month investigation conducted by the district attorney’s office concluded that "the only charge the evidence would support was criminally negligent homicide." Rogers subsequently pleaded guilty to this lesser charge on July 30.

Reflecting on the case, Sokol stated, "This was an unfortunate case involving a very brief physical altercation between two 65-year-old men, one of whom — the victim — had a very serious pre-existing heart condition and suffered a heart attack during the encounter." The District Attorney's Office extended its condolences to Iacono's loved ones as the legal proceedings concluded.