Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I want to pay homage to Officer Robert D Strone who EOW was May 8th 1958, that was 10 years before I was even born. On November 18th,2021 Once again we will be giving out the Robert D Strone Officer of the Year award to a deserving Officer who meets All the requirements of this award and who has throughout the year gone well above and beyond the call of duty. You have been gone for over 63 years and you will never be for gotten. Rest In Peace

Officer Juan J Nieves
City of Passaic PBA President Local 14

October 7, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 8, 2021

Rest in peace Patrolman Strone.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2019

61 years have gone by since your life was suddenly taken. On May 8, 1958, you made the ultimate sacrifice. You are a true hero. Yet, the selfish part of me wishes you never died and that you could have been there for me growing up and throughout my life. I would give anything to have just one day with you.

I look at my grandchildren, who are all so very young, just as I was when I lost you forever. I can't imagine what my two-year-old mind was wondering and how I must have been waiting for you to walk through the door after your shift. The little girl in me still wishes you would walk through the door.

You will always be my hero and your sacrifice will never be forgotten. I love you with all my heart. I truly believe that we will be together someday in Heaven.

PS. Please give mom a kiss for me.

I love you always,

Jeanie

Survivor
Daughter

May 8, 2019

Dear Dad,

May 8, 2018 will mark the 60th Anniversary of your death. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and often wonder what life would have been like had you not given your life on that horrible night. Up until mom's death in 2014, she missed you terribly every day of her life. It is comforting to know that you are both finally together again in Heaven.

You are and always will be my hero. I love you forever and always.

Jeanie

Survivor
Daughter

May 7, 2018

The American Legion Rosol-Dul Memorial Post 359 of Passaic, NJ is presently initiating a project, with consultation with Passaic Mayor Hector Lora, to erect a granite base at the memorial site, and a flag pole. This base will elevate the existing monument from its present ground level, to a height from which to view the inscription in a favorable position. Funds will be generated from the donations of the Passaic community, the Boy Scouts of America Troop One of Passaic, the Passaic Patrolmans Benevolent Association, and the members of the American Legion Rosol-Dul Memorial Post 359 of Passaic. For information please call 973-473-2669.

John Dubyna - Vice Commander
American Legion Rosol-Dul Memorial Post 359, Passaic, NJ

April 25, 2018

It has been 59 years since you lost your life in the duty and not a day has gone by that I have not thought of you and wished you were here with us. You are and always will be my hero! You will always be tucked away in my heart. Until we meet again! Love you now and forever. Your daughter Jeanie

Jean Strone
Daughter

May 8, 2017

A Hero in Heaven, always remembered and never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

May 8, 2015

Dad,
Today, May 8, marks the day that changed our lives forever. It is the day that you gave the ultimate sacrifice. I never got to really know you since I was only two years old. I am lucky to have had a family that helped me learn about you through their stories. Everyone always said that you had a smile that could light up the room. You will always be in my heart and you will never be forgotten.
This Mother's day weekend is bittersweet. While it is a reminder of that terrible day in 1958, it is also the first Mother's day without mom since she joined you in Heaven in August 2014. I know that she is finally truly happy to be with the love of her life again and no longer sad. I also know that you are taking good care of her and she of you. Give each other a kiss from me and know that both of you will always be with me in all I do. I love you both, until we meet again. Your loving daughter, Jeanie

Jean Strone
Daughter & Survivor

May 8, 2015

Officer Robert D. Strone Memorial Park dedicated today, Monday, June 24, 2013.
"I shall pass this way through life but once. Any good I can do, any happiness I can bestow, let me do it now, for I shall never, never, pass this way again."
Officer Strone, Thank you.

P.O. Paul Slater
Passaic Police Dept.

June 24, 2013

Dad, You lost your life 55 years ago this week and not a day goes by that I don't miss you and think of you. You will always be my hero. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. I love you.

Jeanie Strone
Daughter

May 7, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 54th 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 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 yoi for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Yor family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

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

May 8, 2012

Rest in peace Officer Strone.My aunt and uncle owned a jewelry store on Main Avenue called Schiff Jewelers decades ago.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2012

Dad,

Not a day goes by that I do not think of you and wonder why did God have to take you too soon. I often wonder what life would have been like if I had the chance to get to know you. I never knew the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand or to hear your laughter. I do know that you loved Mom, Robin and I very much and we were your world. You will never be forgotten and you are and always will be a HERO to all of us. I really believe that someday we will be together again and that when God calls me home you will be there waiting for me with that wonderful smile. Rest in Peace Dad.

Jean Strone
Daughter

May 10, 2010

We never met. I was eleven when you were called home to HEAVEN. My parents came to Jersey to say goodbye and grieve with the family The grief was so intense on that day no one could really say goodbye but only ask WHY?
God called you home too soon and left your family to mourn.
My parents kept your memory alive for us to understand the service that you and your BROTHERS perform each and every day could be that last day. When I see one of your BROTHERS I think of you and give them my respect.

Dear cousin you are my HERO. We will meet one day in HEAVEN.
love,Carolynn Strone

Robert D Strone
cousin

April 26, 2010

You have touched every officer who ever walked into our station. Your story touched me as a rookie officer in 1995. I too have taken your poem. I have met your wife, daughters, and a bunch of grandkids. They are the finest people I've ever met, and I am very proud to know them. Your family loves you and honors you, as a policeman, husband, father, and grandpa should be. Please enjoy the serenity you have in heaven, and someday we'll both walk heavens beat.

PO Timothy O'Donnell
Passaic Police Dept.

June 5, 2008

The Passaic Police Department knew him as Bob Strone; a 27 year-old rookie patrolman that always had a smile on his face. He had been on the force for only 5 months, but had already been commended for his numerous achievements in such a short time. At 11:15pm Strone called headquarters to report in. At 11:35pm Robert Strone called his wife Grace and said, “I love you so very much, our two little angels are the loveliest daughters any one could hope to have.” Shortly after that phone conversation my grandfather spotted Paul and Eugene Fitzsimmons sitting in the back seat of a black car. Earlier they had stolen the car and were in the act of forging their stolen money orders. Strone approached the men and ordered them out of the car. The brothers each claimed to be looking for a wallet. When neither of them could produce a license Strone ordered them to walk in front of him to the nearest call box. Eugene asked to return to the car to search one more time for his license. All three returned to the car, when Eugene went into the car he quickly came out with a stolen gun they had concealed beneath one of the seats. Strone lunged for the weapon and there was a violent struggle. Paul moved behind Officer Strone and removed his service revolver. Ruthlessly Paul fired one shot killing Patrolman Strone where we now stand. When he failed to check in at 12:15am they ordered a search, and at 2:03am he was found. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Clifton, and Passaic Police Departments both brothers were sentenced to life in prison.

Found in his notebook was a poem by which he lived his life. “I shall pass this way through life but once, any happiness I can bestow, let me do it now, for I shall never, never, never, pass this way again.”

Fifty years have gone by, and you are as loved and missed as you were the moment you took your last breath.

I love you always and forever grandpa,

Stephen G Dotto Jr
Grandson

May 8, 2008

Dearest Dad,

50 Years ago today our lives changed forever. You are my hero. You gave your life for the protection of others. You died doing what you love, being a Passaic Police Officer. Many times over the years, I have felt like that two year old girl again who was standing by the door waiting for daddy to come home. My only wish is that I could have one day with you, to hear the sound of your voice and tell you how much I love you. I believe that we will get that chance someday in Heaven. We will be that happy family again in the hereafter. I have always tried to live my life so that mom and you would be proud. Your favorite poem has become mine too. I live my life by those words:
"I shall pass this way through life but one. Any good I can do, any happiness I can bestow, let me do it now, for I shall never, never, pass this way again." I am proud to be your daughter and I hope you would be proud of me too.
I love you very much. You will always be in my heart no matter where I go.

Jeanie Strone
Forever your loving daughter

May 8, 2008

Rest in peace my Brother.

Kevin T Ryan
NJ

May 8, 2008

Thank you for your bravery, service and sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
AR

March 13, 2008

Rest in peace brother.

Officer

February 9, 2008

I was a dear friend of your nephew Robert Centinaro. He spoke of you constantly, always in a loving manner. I was one of many who gave a eulogy at his funeral, where I was fortunate to meet your wife and children and have a brief opportunity to speak with them. You are remembered by many, whom I am one.

Rich S
Family Friend

June 5, 2007

Patrolman Valentin:

It was truly a pleasure to meet you and all the wonderful members that make up the Passaic Police Department. My father would have been proud to serve with each and everyone of you. May God Bless all of you always.

Daugther, Jean Strone Dotto

June 14, 2005

Although I've just joined the Police Department in January of 2005, I've had the pleasure and opportunity to not only learn what kind of a person Patrolman Strone was, but to actually meet some of his family members who came to visit our Police Department in June 2005. Thanks to Sgt. Jed, he was able to keep in contact with the Strone family where they finally came to see where Patrolman Strone came to work everyday before he left us. I just want to say that Patrolman Robert D. Strone will never be forgotten in the Passaic Police Department.

Patrolman Ed Valentin
Passaic Police Department

June 6, 2005

Gone but not forgotten!

Anonymous

December 9, 2003