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.
Trooper Lamonaco had disarmed one suspect when the other opened fire hitting him nine times. Trooper Lamonaco managed to return fire wounding the shooter. Trooper Lamonaco was found face down in the snow by a passing motorist and died in a hospital a short time later. The suspect's bullet riddled car was found six miles away along with blood stains of the shooter and both suspect's fingerprints. The shooter was apprehended, convicted of murder, several bombings, and sentenced to death. He died in prison in 2005. The other suspect was apprehended April 24, 1985, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life plus 58 years for bombing convictions. He died in prison July 31, 2019.
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 Died in prison
Most Recent Reflection
View all 286 ReflectionsMonday, December 21, 2020. End of Watch, 39 years ago today.
You are gone, but NEVER forgotten Trooper Lamonaco. Rest In Peace.
Steven J. Boggess
Civilian
December 21, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Brandon Stalker
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Jay Hughes
Kalispel Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: January 6, 2021

Corporal Christine Peters
Greenbelt Police Department, MD
EOW: January 14, 2021

Conservation Officer Steven Reighard
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, IA
EOW: January 8, 2021

Police Officer Melton "Fox" Gore
Horry County Police Department, SC
EOW: January 12, 2021

Sergeant Frederick H. "Butch" Cameron
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, VA
EOW: January 12, 2021

Officer Troy Allen Adkins
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: December 31, 2020

Unit Team Supervisor Gabe Morales
Kansas Department of Corrections, KS
EOW: December 22, 2020