Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

His funeral was the first, but most regrettably far from the last, police officer memorial I attended during my career. I visited the roadside the marker erected at the scene while conducting investigative operations in the area nearly 40 years later, at the end of my service.
RIP to all who have their lastfull measure

Lt./InvSpc(ret) William Devlin
Greenburgh NY PD, FBI

December 26, 2023

I was 8 years old when this happened and I remember it vividly. Watching it on TV with my father and saying we lost a hero. No way this should of happened but Trooper Lamonico showed how brave and fearless he was and dedicated he was to putting terrorist,convicts behind bars where they should be. I am also a United States Marine Corps who served in Iraq and I hope someday in heaven I can meet you Trooper Lamonico. I would be honored brother!!! Once a Marine always a marine!! RIP!! Semper Fi!!!

William Edsall
United States Marine E-4 Corporal

October 5, 2023

“We in this world today shall be remembered...We few...we happy few...We Band of Brothers...for he today, whom willingly sheds his blood with me, shall be.....my
Brother. Lest ye say it proudly, We are but warriors for the working day.” Shakespeare
I was in my second year of a full 35yr career with the Columbus Georgia PD when this incident occurred. This incident left an impression on me about officer safety during traffic stops and I learned from this event. Trooper Lamonaco was a dedicated public servant and family man, and is still missed by family and friends. Rest In Peace my Brother of Blue...I look forward to walking those streets of gold and meeting you one day soon on God’s celestial shore.

k

Lieutenant Mark D Starling-(Retired)
Columbus Police Dept, Columbus, Ga.

February 22, 2023

Never forgotten Hero Trooper

Retired Trooper PSP. Chris O’Brien
PSP

January 9, 2023

In 1979 I came to New Jersey from the Philippines to work as a nurse. It was a very sad day as I read his tragedy in state newspaper Star ledger. All these years I haven’t forgotten him. More so when I see his memorial in route 78. I always say a prayer for him and his family and so proud to see his little boy a grown man of same service path. Thankyou so much Trooper Phil and family

None
None

December 30, 2022

It's a SHAME THE TWO OFFICERS LOST THEIR LIVES IN A TRAGIC BOUT, THEY DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, GOD BLESS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. REST IN PEACE. AMEN

James Dwight Greenhouse
Civilian

November 21, 2022

I re-read about this hero’s last day. And of how he valiantly fought back.
You are not forgotten…

Officer John Carp USDOJ ret.
United States Department of Justice

December 22, 2021

I remember reading about you in a book in my school library in the late 1980s in Millburn NJ. You were a Marine Veteran who served in Vietnam and were from beighboring Union, NJ. I have always remembered your name and story since I was a little boy. We won't forget you. May you RIP.

Francis Scheets
New Jersey citizen

December 21, 2021

It was forty years ago today ... you are not forgotten.

Virtute spes est.

Sgt. Gregory Paul (ret.)
Woodbridge (NJ) Police Dept.

December 21, 2021

Monday, December 21, 2020. End of Watch, 39 years ago today.

You are gone, but NEVER forgotten Trooper Lamonaco. Rest In Peace.

Steven J. Boggess
Civilian

December 21, 2020

I was on duty the night of your murder. I was with the Stroud Township Police in Pa. not far from where you were shot. The people responsible for your death lived only a few miles from my jurisdiction. When the bulletin was prodcast about the shooting and what to look for I remember thinking does he have a family and how bad I felt for them. I’m retired now I pass by your monument often and think of you and your family. Rest In Peace

Sgt retired
Stroud Area Regional Police

August 23, 2020

Trooper Lamonaco,

- I was a little girl when you were
tragically taken.

-My parents were with you & your wife
at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball that
year.

-My father was in the Marine Corps
Color Guard at your funeral. My
parents still have a newspaper from
your funeral with my father in his dress
blues on the front page. The picture is
heartbreaking.

-You will never be forgotten! R. I. P.

~ Proud Daughter of SGTMAJ Carlos
“Rick” Hughes, USMC Retired

~ Proud Sister of Carlos Hughes Jr
MCPO III, New Bern Police
Department, NC

Kimberly Hughes Carter
Daughter of Rick & Theresa Hughes

March 28, 2020

Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Ptl. Don Whicker
South Brunswick Police Department, NJ

September 25, 2019

Phil’s great family moved across the street from me when he was about 9 yrs old. I knew him before he was a Marine or a Trooper. We learned with our families together what life and service was. My Dad was a reference when Phil pursued being a trooper after serving in Vietnam - his loss to our Country was enormous - the loss to his wife, children, family and friends a devastation. We carry on in his spirit & honor and pray & support all who measure up to his commitment and service going forward. A one of a kind human being - a role model & mentor for all who support and wear the badge. Namaste.

Peachie Pelican
Friend - Lincoln Av. RPNJ

September 3, 2019

One of the killers of Trooper Lamonaco (Thomas Manning) has died in prison at the age of 73. He died of natural causes after serving more than 30 years of his sentence.

Anonymous

August 4, 2019

I passed this scene that night (I was 13) with my mom on our way home to Queens for Christmas. When we saw all the red lights flashing we knew it was something very serious (mom was with the NYPD 20 years at that time). I never knew anything about it or what took place that night until years later when I saw the episode on the FBI Files. RIP Trooper Philip Joseph Lamonaco.

Sgt Paul M. Wilson (ret)
Spanish Fort Police Dept. Spanish Fort, Alabama

July 13, 2019

My father went to high school with Phil, and became a Trooper partly because Phil became one. My father always spoke very highly of Phil when I was a child and still does, I was only 1 when he was killed, so I never met or knew any of his family. The look on my father face when he spoke about Phil though, I could always tell there was something special about him. He had a code he lived by and it influenced many lives he touched. To one of the Greatest. Keep watching over your Family and us. Gone and Definitely NEVER Forgotten.

D. Gapch
Son of NJSP

May 30, 2019

On April 25,1985 I led an escort of US Federal Marshals from the Virginia Beach City Jail here in Virginia to the federal courthouse in Norfolk.
He had been captured the day before with his wife at a rental property.
I also kept detailed info on his killer in my notebook and the groups movements.

It was gratifying to be part of this mans capture. Partly because I lost my twin brother LAPD Off Duane C. Kohnson, EOW 12-19-1984

May Tpr Lamonaco Rest In Peace.

MPO Dana Jonson, retired
Virginia Beach Police Dept.

October 24, 2018

I was working the night Trooper Lamonaco was killed. I was posted at an exit of Rt 80 during the initial call.
I met Trooper Lamonaco a couple of times .
May God watch over Trooper Lamonaco and family

Captain James Staszak (Retired)
Rockaway Twp Police

April 29, 2018

I was only 13 years old the day that Tpr. Lamonaco was gunned down on the side of a lonely, rural NJ interstate. It was about that same time that I had decided I too wanted to one day become a law enforcement officer, & serve my community, just as Trp. Lamonaco had done before me. I vividly remember the feelings of both sadness & anger when I learned that this decorated Trooper had been cut down in his prime by a couple of radical, domestic terrorists. I used to think often of what more he could have accomplished, & how high he could have risen in the ranks of the NJSP, if not for that fateful encounter that cost him his life.

Now retired, after 25 years as a NJ municipal police officer, I again often think of Trp. Lamonaco & the other thousands of my brothers & sisters in blue who were denied the retirement I'm enjoying because of their unwavering allegiance to their oath, & a commitment to something bigger than themselves.

God bless & RIP.

Sgt. Gregory Paul (Ret.)
Woodbridge Twp. PD

December 21, 2017

I attended the funeral for Trooper Lamonaco and will always remember his young children sitting in the front row at the funeral home. Having two children of my own, I
could not even imagine the pain that family was enduring that day. Every year since, members of the Cedar Grove PD
visit the site along Rt 80 and place a Christmas wreath.
Trooper Lamonaco was out gunned that day. As a result, many police departments switched from revolvers to automatic hand guns (including Cedar Grove PD).
God bless the Lamonaco family and all law enforcement families throughout the USA. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Lt Russell Van Zile (Retired)
Cedar Grove Police Dept.

November 21, 2017

I was only a teenager living in the Philadelphia area when Trooper Lamonaco was killed, but I still remember the deep sense of shock that people felt when the news of his murder came. It was made worse by the loss of Lt. Pagano days later. That was a time when our society didn't glamorize criminals, drugs and so-called "gangsters." The killing of a police officer anywhere in the country made national news, and all good people mourned their loss. For the families of these heroes, it is important that they know they will never be forgotten.

None
None

October 5, 2017

Not an officer just a New York resident traveling to PA and I stopped to see what the memorial was for and wondered why it was set up. Took a picture and decided to follow up at a later date which was this evening. Read all that happened including the related loss of Lieutenant Lester Amos Pagano during his investigation. So many years later. I am grateful that the memorial is maintained so people like myself can learn of the sacrifice you all make including the surviving families. Thank you Very much for all you do and always prays for Both Lieutenant Lester Amos Pagano and Trooper Philip Joseph Lamonaco and their families.

None
None

September 20, 2017

I knew Phil from High School; an avid weight lifter. Yet, he was a gentleman; much unlike the many HS bullies. I respected him for that then & now. RIP & see you in Heaven Phil.

Michael Piccolo, citizen
High School classmate

October 13, 2016

I knew Phil when he patrolled the Garden State Parkway in The 1970's. We were surprised to find we lived only a few blocks from one another in Roselle Park. He was building his home in Northwest NJ at the time.

He was a Trooper's, Trooper. A man's man. I keep a small whisk broom in my car, so I can dust up Phil's memorial on I 80 when I pass by. I think of him often, and remember his professionalism and compassion on the job.

No finer man walked this earth. He will be remembered for generations to come. God bless his wonderful family.

Mark Russo
Green Brook, NJ

July 19, 2016