Lodi Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch Monday, August 26, 1963
Add to My HeroesPeter Voto
Sergeant Peter Voto and Officer Gary Tedesco were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call at a local bar.
The suspects had robbed an apartment in Brooklyn, New York. In celebration, they partied with friends into the early morning at the Angel Lounge in Lodi. The men, former convicts in their mid-20s, were drinking heavily, popping barbiturates, and making enough of a racket that neighbors called the police several times to complain. When Officer Tedesco and Sergeant Voto arrived to quiet the bar down, the suspects attacked the officers and took Sergeant Voto's gun. The suspects then pistol-whipped the officers and fatally shot them.
One suspect was later shot and killed by detectives from the New York City Police Department in a Manhattan hotel room. The second was convicted of murder and sentenced to death but was released by the New Jersey State Supreme Court in 2001 after serving 37 years. His original death penalty conviction was overturned in 1972 when the death penalty was declared unconstitutional.
Sergeant Voto had served with the Lodi Police Department for over 12 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, parents, sister, and a brother who also served with the department.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 12 years, 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Released after 37 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 25 ReflectionsRest in peace Voto
Carson loveless
January 31, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024