Jerry Schmetterer, an alum of the New York Daily News and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, died on Monday after suffering from cancer, his family told the Daily News. He was 77 years old.
Schmetterer worked at the Daily News for 23 years, starting as a copy boy, working his way up to a reporter, and eventually becoming metro editor. He also worked as a managing editor at CNN, PIX 11, and the entertainment news show Extra. He also briefly served as city editor at the New York Post.
He eventually left media and joined the Brooklyn DA’s office, where he served as Director of Public Information under former DA Charles Hynes for 12 years, from 2001 until 2013.
Schmetterer was also the author or co-author of seven non-fiction books, including “The Coffey Files: One Cop’s War Against the Mob,” “Crooked Brooklyn: Taking Down Corrupt Judges, Dirty Politicians, Killers, and Body Snatchers,” and “E-Man: Life in the NYPD Emergency Service Unit.”
He is survived by his wife Emily, brother Bernie, son David, stepson Charles, and grandchildren Isaac, Austen, and Carston.
Correction: Bernie Schmetterer is Jerry’s brother, not son. We apologize for the error
