Police Officer Gary L. Peaco

Gary L. Peaco

Police Officer Gary Peaco was killed in an automobile crash while responding to an "officer needs assistance" call from two members of the New York City Police Department.

The two NYPD officers had just engaged four robbery suspects in a gun battle. The four males were suspected of stealing a gold neck chain at gunpoint from another man in the East Tremont section of the Bronx at about 5:25 am. During the shootout, the two officers left their vehicle to seek cover. When they did, two of the four suspects stole their police car and fled.

Officer Peaco and his partner were responding to the "10-13" call from the officers and were traveling north on the Grand Concourse near Echo Place when they passed an ambulance that was responding to an unrelated call. As they passed, the ambulance clipped the rear of their police car, causing it to spin out of control, strike a lamppost, then a tree, and burst into flames. Officer Peaco, who was driving, was thrown from the vehicle and landed 30 feet away.

Officer Peaco was transported to Jacobi Hospital but did not survive his injuries.

Police Officer Gary L. Peaco had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for two and half years. He was survived by his wife and twin daughters.