Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Gary L. Peaco

New York City Housing Authority Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, June 16, 1988

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Gary L. Peaco

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

I went to school biddeford high in maine i believe his dad was a minister I remember him as a very humble person with a sense of humor it seems so long ago

Peter d petrin
Classmate

January 31, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Peaco.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 28, 2019

Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten.

Rest In Peace Police Officer Peaco

Police Officer Cecilia Cruz
PSA 7 NYPD

June 20, 2019

Rest in Peace

Ret. Lt. A Felice
Former HAPD cop, NYPD

June 18, 2019

Gary was in my company and I was on vacation in the Bahamas when Gary passed. I had no clue and did not find out about the horrific accident until much later. Gary was much more than a great person and police officer. He was also very much involved in the church and I believe he may have been a minister as well. I still remember his wonderful wife and I believe two daughters? I have always wanted to know where all of Gary's family is today and how they are doing?

PO Skeeter
NYCTPD NYCHPD NYPD

June 16, 2017

Gary, I came onto this site and found your memorial. I will never forget he morning of your accident, we were in the command and the last thing you said to me was I will see you in 15 minutes. Those words will always echo in my head, because in 15 minutes everything changed and you were gone. I will never forget that tour and who was working and the jobs we all went on. Many years have passed, and not a day goes by that I do not think of you. I have a picture of you hanging in my office. Rest In Peace my brother. Till we patrol again.

NYPD Detective (Ret) Frank Pascarelli
N.Y.P.D

March 10, 2017

Gary , I was in Washington DC the week of June 16 2016 , the date of your passing ,visiting my son . We took some time to visit the Police Memorial and find your Name on the Wall. All these years later , you are still remembered and will never be forgotten !

Sgt Andrew Brigida
NYPD HAPD

July 6, 2016

P.O. Peaco, may you rest in peace.

SGT Michael Joyce
NYPD

April 21, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, books and magazines and finally find your ID Card Photo and make sure your photo was put on this site. I wanted to put a face to your heroism in the Line of Duty. I did the research because you are a brother officer and no matter how many years past, you will always be remembered. Rest Easy Hero.

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

Officer Peaco, it's now been 27 years and the warm remembrances keep coming from those who knew and loved you most. Looking at the picture, I see a tough guy, a no nonsense guy, but reading the messages left by your friends and co-workers, I can see you had a very soft center, no matter your outward appearance.

I find it appropriate that your name is PEACo. One letter off from what you practiced.

God Bless you still and may your rest continue to be PEACEful, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 16, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 16, 2015

I am a close friend from Long Lake Bible Camp, Naples, Maine.
I have many great memories: playing hide & go seek, playing ping pong in the rec hall, etc. Last time I saw Gary, he carried a little red Bible at a tent meeting at a church on outer Congress St, Portland. I now carry a little red Bible in my purse daily in remembrance of him. I live within walking distance to where he was buried. I look forward to the day I will see you in heaven.
Your closest friend,
Colleen D. Nevers Helstrom

Coilleen D Nevers Helstrom
Close Friend

May 7, 2014

To Sis Jackie...I think about you often...I was so happy when you and Elder Peaco got married.....It was such a beautiful relationship...we were friends long before we started fellowshipping at Salvation & Deliverance and I miss you very much....Your husband was a very Godly man and I was so happy you two found each other...

Gloria Winston
Close Friend

July 20, 2013

Elder Peaco was one of my mom and dads closest n dearest brothers..Funny..thought of you, jackie n the girls the other day..Can stilll see u sleep on the living room floor after a tour..taste your rigatoni..hear ur biblical instruction in SPBI..and hubby n I house sitting while u and jackie were on vacay..We miss you..wow..time passes sooo quickly..U and mom back together again!!!!!!

Glennelle Matterson
Close Friend

July 17, 2013

Elder Gary Peaco, a Gentle Giant, Man of God, gone but not forgotten, resting Safe In His Arms.

Sheila Mack
New Beginning Church of Deliverance

July 17, 2013

I knew him as Elder Peaco. He was one of the sweetest and nicest big men I ever knew, and a powerful man of God. Yes, Elder Peaco, you are gone from this life but we will meet again. May God continues to take care of your loved ones.

Shirley Goodwin
Sister in The Lord. (From the Salvation & Deliverance Church family)

July 16, 2013

Gary, you are not forgotten, 25 years we miss you, and will raise a glass to you on Sunday. 6/16/13..... Fedelis ad Mortem

Lt. Bob Devoy
HAPD / NYPD

June 15, 2013

Rest in peace PO. Gary L. Peaco.

CO. Michael Sheehan (Ret)
Westchester County NY Dept of Correction

May 25, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 21, 2012

Gary, miss you man.


You left an mark in my life that will last forever. It was a privilege to have worked those streets with you and honored to have been there when they dedicated the 20th yr of your EOW plaque in your name at the new PSA 7. Seeing the guys again and just reliving your time with us was a joy. You were alive again, on patrol again, if not just for a few hours.

Knowing you has made me a better man. You were truly, a gentle giant, in our eyes and especially in our hearts.

Donald too is in my thoughts and prayers.

RIP my brother......you will never be forgotten!

Angel Davila
former P.O. Housing PSA 7

August 22, 2011

Gary, just thinking of you. Your gentle christian spirit and your ability to difuse situations while we were on patrol are still very vivid in my mind. I was honored to have been there at the new PSA 7 when they dedicated that plaque in your name on your 20th EOW. Reliving stories with the guys and just remembering all the good things you brought out in our lives and the war stories told, was a pleasure! miss you man! Good cops like you are hard to come by and i'm honored to have known and worked with you during NYC's worst drug epidemic. i felt you always had our backs!

Donald is also in my thoughts and prayers too.


RIP, you will never be forgotten my brother.

P.O. Angel Davi;a
Housing PSA #7

August 22, 2011

The reflections left by former colleagues speak volumes. On this 22nd anniversary of your tragic passing, I know you are watching over your family and they miss you terribly. They are in my prayers.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvar

June 16, 2010

22 years today, seems like yesterday

L.C.R.

June 16, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer Peaco and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

June 12, 2009

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