Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in eternal peace brother. Your memory will never fade with the passing of time!

Patrolman Chris Continenza
Grand River (Ohio) Police Department

February 3, 2024

Tony and I worked together in the 109pct during 1981. I remember enjoying our time together in the Burglary response unit. I also remembered how much he spoke about his wife and how much he enjoyed being married. I was transferred two weeks before this horrific incident and it just didn’t seem real to me. I will always remember Tony, RIP you will not be forgotten.

Retired Detective Arthur Perry
NYPD

December 5, 2023

Fidelis Ad Mortem...Tony Abruzzo

Sergeant Greg Sanfilippo
NYPD

December 16, 2022

I used to date tony and when I heard he was killed I cried and said to my mom if I didn’t break up with him he wouldn’t of been at that house and he would still be alive

RIP tony (the count). A really good guy

Ilene weiss Schunke

October 30, 2021

I graduated Lewis in 1974. My Dad has been in field 10 at Mt St. Mary's a few rows from Fresh Meadow Lane overlooking the athletic field at Lewis since 1986. His Mom since 1965. My friend and neighbor John Charles Taranto, a marine PFC, since 1968. I go there occationally to reflect on their lives. My little daughter used to write letters to grandpa Paul whom she had never met but knew through stories she has heard over the years, which she stuck in between the headstones front and back. She never shared the contents of those stories but was prolific for a time.
Across from Dad's section is 11, which I pass on the way down the hill to our plot. On the way back I always stop at a grave on the right at the top of the hill, just before the road. It belongs to Anthony Abruzzo. I never met him but we had something in common. In December of 1981 the economy was bad. Going into the Christmas holiday there seemed to be an increase in petite street crime. On December 12th or so as I had been studying late at St Johns library, my girlfriend and I stopped at the Citibank branch on Utopia and Union so I could get 20 bucks to go to school the next day. A fellow came in to the branch right after me and stopped me to asked if I knew the time. I told him I didn't have a watch and he stepped in front of me and said "Well, I have this gun and I want all your money." He waived a .32 caliber pistol under my lip as he turned back to look at his friends still in the car. I gave him my 20 bucks and told him he could have my dreams if he wanted, just don't hurt me. He told me to lay down on the floor which is when I expected him to put 2 in the back of my skull. I actually covered the back of my head with my hands and arms hoping that they would deflect a bullet. Instead, he turned, ran out the door and back into the green Chevy where is 3 friends were waiting. I was very lucky. A few days later, in the same neighborhood, Tony was at his inlaw's house helping to decorate the Christmas tree. Tony's father-in-law owned a furniture store on Main Street in Flushing and he was coming home with the day's store receipts, over $30,000 when he met the same fellow I met a few evenings earlier. Tony's mother-in-law went to the door when she saw her husband's headlights but he did not come in. She yelled to Tony, who was not carrying his off-duty piece. He charged out to intervene and they executed him where he stood. I had no proof that they were the same guys. Just a hunch. As it happens a friend of mine with whom I had lunch every few weeks or so was the court clerk in the part where the suspects were being tried. I met Steve for lunch one day during the trial and he told me that we could not go yet because the jury wanted a read back of some testimony. I sat next to Steve at his desk while this proceeded. The judge was seated, the jury walked back in and then the defendants, one by one entered the court room. The first came in. I didn't know him. The second, same thing. But when the 3rd guy walked in I saw him for only a second when the hair stood up on my arms, my back stiffened and I grew short of breath. Steve leaned over to me and said "You see the last guy?" I whispered "Yes." Steve said "He was the shooter." I told him "I know. I know."
Tony's grave was always well tended for years thereafter. I noticed as time when on that it was less so. I guessed that his parents and intlaws passed or retired to different states. He had no children and hopefully his wife remarried and recovered as best she could. It seems that now I'm the only one who marks that vigil over his grave. I always put a small stone on top of his headstone whenever I am there. My children who know the story also visit Tony's grave, knowing that life changes in a New York minute where our lives intersected so many years ago.

Paul Ferguson

February 3, 2021

Rest In Peace

Lieutenant Gregory W. Chupa
NYPD (Retired)

November 28, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Abruzzo.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 1, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero and your family for your courage, sacrifice and service. Always remembered.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

December 16, 2019

Rest in peace my brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

December 16, 2019

Anthony, I worked with you when you were a rookie in TPF and I attended our wedding when you married. You will never be forgotten.

Det. Dominick Botte Jr
NYCPD

April 15, 2019

To the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Abruzzo: I proudly mailed my NO PAROLE letter today. I’m very sorry for your loss. It’s so unfair that you have to keep reliving your pain, with each new parole board hearing! To Officer Abruzzo: Thank You for your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten. God Bless You All!

Allie Wroten
Proudly Supporting All L.E.O.’s
Wife of a Corrections Deputy

October 19, 2018

To the soul and family of PO Abruzzo I pray for peace to both. Please rest in eternal peace and guide us daily.You are always remembered Thanks Be to You for your beyond belief heroism.

David DeConinck
Nypd

July 23, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

December 16, 2017

RIP brother. Always watch out for your family.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

December 16, 2017

Thank you for serving in our law enforcement. I hope my letter made it to the parole board.

John Haseltine - Civilian

November 4, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, magazines, online & books to find your ID CARD Photo. I found this photo in a 1981 New York Times Article about your heroic sacrifice. I felt it was necessary to have a photo on this website so that your family & friends can remember you. Rest Easy Hero! Always Remembered!

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

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

Robyn Wilkes

December 15, 2015

My Dad and I were on our way home and as we turned off Hollis Court onto 193rd St, we saw a silver Cadillac speeding away and a woman running into the street yelling "They just shot my son!" My dad took off after the Cadillac, I was very scared at that point, but he was determined to follow these murderers. The last we saw it was near the Blue Bay diner. When we went back, we told the cops what we saw. A few years later, I moved out of NY and now live in Florida. I never forgot this, but what really brought it back was I met a new neighbor at our community pool and somehow started talking about jury duty. He proceeded to tell me of a jury he was on 30 years ago, that convicted some guys who killed an off-duty cop in Queens who came out to help his father-in-law. Unbelievable how small a world it is! Glad to see justice served and it was a day I'll never forget about how brave Officer Abruzzo was in protecting his family. R.I.P.

Ray Mackin

May 6, 2015

I was in school when this happened. I went to their trial to confirm what I already knew. They had robbed me 2 nights before on Union Turnpike at Utopia while I was in Citibank.

Tony is buried 2 rows away from my Dad. I stop to put a small stone at his grave every time I go.

I saw Judge Jack Lahee say, "It is unfortunate that at this time and place I can merely sentence you to life but that's what I'm going to do. 25 to Life." I wonder if any of them are still alive.

PAUL FERGUSON
NONE

April 28, 2014

It has taken me a long, long time to accept the untimely, tragic death of my brother. Indeed, while my mother was living it was much harder, knowing how much she grieved. I feel for all those who face the senseless murder of a family member and pray for their peace of mind. Many thanks and blessings to those who have taken the time to leave a kind thought.
Joan Abruzzo
March 23, 2013

Joan Abruzzo
sister

March 23, 2013

31 years. Not forgotten.

RIP Tony

TPF/SCU
NYPD

December 16, 2012

I mourn always for my friends in Blue.

Detetive Anthony J Fimiano (Ret)
NYPD

October 16, 2012

I mourn always for my friends!

Detetive Anthony J Fimiano ( R
NYPD

October 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Time never diminishes respect.
Rest In Peace

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

December 16, 2011

I say a pray tonight for you and your family. You will never be forgotten. God bless you and your daughter. You are the Finest of the Finest.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

December 16, 2010