In the most recent display of violence against minorities, NYPD allegedly placed Eric Garner, an African-American man in his early 40s, in an chokehold last Thursday, during which Garner died on the Staten Island sidewalk.

Witnesses in the area known as Tompkinsville said Garner told officers he could not breathe. The community was outraged after Garner's death, and has been protesting the incident, along with Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network.

An official investigation continues into what happened during the incident.

According to early reports, police were investigating Garner for selling loose cigarettes. During a confrontation with police, an officer is alleged to have grabbed Garner from behind, putting his arms around the man's neck in a chokehold.

Garner reportedly suffered from asthma, and the altercation with police may have led to further complications from that, or perhaps another condition. Autopsy results are still pending.

The officer who put his arms around Garner's neck has had to turn in his badge and his gun until the results of the investigation by the district attorney. Another officer, Daniel Pantaleo, has been put on desk duty and doesn't work on the streets, but still has his gun, according to reports.

Four emergency medical technicians from Richmond University Medical Center have been put on "restricted duty" while they too are investigated.

This tragic incident recalls several others in recent years where the NYPD has killed or harmed someone who was a minority. Here are a few of the most well known incidents.

Eleanor Bumpurs: The New York City woman was shot and killed by police in 1984 after police went to enforce an eviction notice for her apartment. She did not have a gun, but was shot and killed with a 12-gaugue shotgun

Sean Bell:  The New York City man was shot and killed in 2006 by undercover New York City police. Two other men were injured. The men were shot 50 times by New York City police. 

Amadou Diallo: The unarmed Guinean immigrant was shot to death by police in 1999.  NYPD officer with the Street Crimes Unit opened fire on Diallo when he went to reach for his wallet.