New Jersey State Police, New Jersey
End of Watch Monday, December 21, 1981
Add to My HeroesPhilip Joseph Lamonaco
Trooper Philip Lamonaco was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Knowlton Township.
The incident occurred when he stopped two members of a radical environmental group, known as the United Freedom Front, on I-80. The suspects robbed banks to fund their radical operations which included bombing energy sites.
Several suspects were apprehended and two of them were sentenced to death for Trooper Lamonaco's murder. A third suspect was sentenced to 30 years in prison on federal charges. He was also sentenced to life on state charges, which will start when he is released from federal custody.
On July 19, 1983, Lieutenant Lester Pagano was killed in an automobile accident while investigating Trooper Lamonaco's murder. Lieutenant Pagano had finished following up on leads in reference to the case when the accident occurred.
Trooper Lamonaco had been employed with the New Jersey State Police for 11 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.
A seven mile portion of I-80 was renamed and dedicated in Trooper Lamonaco's memory.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 11 years
- Badge 2663
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; 9 mm
- Offender Two sentenced to death
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Lieutenant Lester Amos Pagano
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EOW: July 19, 1983
Most Recent Reflection
View all 279 ReflectionsMy father went to high school with Phil, and became a Trooper partly because Phil became one. My father always spoke very highly of Phil when I was a child and still does, I was only 1 when he was killed, so I never met or knew any of his family. The look on my father face when he spoke about Phil though, I could always tell there was something special about him. He had a code he lived by and it influenced many lives he touched. To one of the Greatest. Keep watching over your Family and us. Gone and Definitely NEVER Forgotten.
D. Gapch
Son of NJSP
May 30, 2019
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