R.I.P.: Longtime WCBS-TV Newsman John Slattery

John Slattery

Four-time Emmy-winning New York City news mainstay John Slattery, a 30-year veteran of WCBS-TV, died Wednesday after a sudden heart attack only hours after filing his final story, reports The NY Daily News.

General assignment reporter Slattery worked Wednesday, covering a Bronx attack on a 72-year-old Good Samaritan who stepped in to protect a mugging victim.

Slattery, 63, was among the city’s longest-serving television reporters, joining WABC-TV in 1979 and participating in the Emmy-winning coverage of the December 1980 assassination of ex-Beatle John Lennon.

He moved to WCBS four years later and found a home, spending the rest of his career there.

Peter Dunn, WCBS president and general manager, said the death caught everyone by surprise.

“We are saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague,” said Dunn. “During his nearly 30-year career at WCBS, he was great at reporting the news and was someone we counted on to cover big stories for us, both here in New York and around the world.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with John's wife, Suzie, and their children and grandchildren."