Police Officer Gary L. Peaco

Police Officer Gary L. Peaco

New York City Housing Authority Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, June 16, 1988

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Gary L. Peaco

Police Officer Gary Peaco was killed in an automobile crash while responding to an "officer needs assistance" call from two members of the New York City Police Department.

The two NYPD officers had just engaged four robbery suspects in a gun battle. The four males were suspected of stealing a gold neck chain at gunpoint from another man in the East Tremont section of the Bronx at about 5:25 am. During the shootout, the two officers left their vehicle to seek cover. When they did, two of the four suspects stole their police car and fled.

Officer Peaco and his partner were responding to the "10-13" call from the officers and were traveling north on the Grand Concourse near Echo Place when they passed an ambulance that was responding to an unrelated call. As they passed, the ambulance clipped the rear of their police car, causing it to spin out of control, strike a lamppost, then a tree, and burst into flames. Officer Peaco, who was driving, was thrown from the vehicle and landed 30 feet away.

Officer Peaco was transported to Jacobi Hospital but did not survive his injuries.

Police Officer Gary L. Peaco had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for two and half years. He was survived by his wife and twin daughters.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 2 years, 5 months
  • Badge 4017

Incident Details

  • Cause Automobile crash

officer assistance, vehicle crash

Most Recent Reflection

View all 34 Reflections

On this day, 35 years ago, you made the ultimate sacrifice and lost your life while responding to calls for help from other officers. I still think about this day and often regret not being able to cancel the response, while the perps stole the rmp and left me standing in the street as my partner chased 2 perps and was out of my sight. There was so much radio traffic that I couldn’t get through while others chased the perps in our stolen rmp, 1606. My partner and I, chose to never submit for any Department recognition, although many others did. We just could not wear a medal when the incident caused the death of one of our own. So, on this sad day, RIP my brother, it would have been an honor to know you.
I was the cop calling that 10-13 that day, and I will never forget your sacrifice.

Police Officer (ret) Michael Neithardt
NYPD

June 16, 2023

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