New Rochelle Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 14, 1982
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 1111
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: September 14, 1982
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Convicted
Police Officer Gary Pagano was killed when his patrol vehicle struck a parked truck during a vehicle pursuit.
Several suspects had just robbed a house and tied up its occupants and they were being pursued by Officer Pagano and his partner. They were traveling at a high rate of speed on the New England Thruway, when the patrol car went off the road, struck an abandoned truck, and burst into flames. Officer Pagano’s partner was able to escape but was severely injured. The suspects were later caught and convicted.
Officer Pagano was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the New Rochelle Police Department for 13 years and had received three separate commendations during his career. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, brother, and two sisters.