Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was a Detective at the time of Trooper Lamonaco's murder. I can remember my anger and desire for revenge.

Detective
Madison Police Department

December 21, 2015

Living in Hackettstown and 28 years old .....when I was watching NBC News and they reported this tragedy. I could not believe that such a tragedy would happen so close to home.....out here in the middle of nowhere. I became very concerned for the safety of my Mom, Dad and Sister who where living in Mt Bethel Pa at the time...so I called to check. I was so touched and intrigued by Officer Lamonaco and his courage that I had to see the Trial in Somerville. I remember seeing the strength and poise of Mrs Lamonaco while sitting in court. What an amazing woman she is to remain active after all these years in supporting other Families and Law Enforcement. God Bless America and the Lamonaco Family! and

Ed Wehmeyer
Hackettstown Resident

December 21, 2015

I was born about 9 years after Trooper Lamonaco was killed and I am a native of the West Coast but I have friends from New Jersey and they have told me what a legend Trooper Lamonaco was. So even though I didn't know you I want to say thank you for your service and you have my upmost respect Trooper Lamonaco.

Patrol Officer Micah Smith
The Mall At Steam Town Security Department

December 3, 2015

For many years, at holiday time, I drove Rt80 from NYC en route to Binghamton. On Dec 22,1981 nearing the Water Gap I saw many, many uniformed and regular men searching an area beside the highway . That was the place where the tragedy occurred. They were looking for evidence. I always remember Tpr Lamonaco at holiday time and whenever I travel this road. I look for his memory marker around mile 7. I passed there today (11/11/15) and he was in my thoughts.

Judith Silverman
Passerby

November 11, 2015

I was a young trooper when this cowardly crime occurred. Even though i never met Trooper Lamonaco, his memory has remained with me since his death. A brother will always be missed.

Sgt. Robert G. Van damm
Vermont State Police {retired)

December 22, 2014

My father was a Sgt. 1st Class in the NJSP and assigned to the Fugitive Unit when Trooper Lamonaco was killed. I was a teenager and had many nights when my father was on stakeouts, searching for Manning and his accomplices. Trooper Lamonaco's name has always been engrained in my memory because Troopers take care of each other and as children, we were all part of the NJSP family. My thoughts are with his surviving family.

Michael J. Popovitch, Jr.
Son of Lt. Michael J. Popovitch, NJSP

December 17, 2014

Will be raising a glass to trooper Lamonaco on Christmas Day. Rest in peace fellow law enforcement officer

Constable johnston
British transport police

December 17, 2014

Hi Daddy, sorry I haven't been on here! Can't believe it is that time of year again. Time is going so fast. Everyday I wish you were here. Keep looking down on all of us. Love you with all my heart.
Love your little girl,
Sunny

Sarah Lamonaco
Proud daughter

December 14, 2014

I was the Head Grand Juror who indicted Manning and Williams in abstentia circa 1983. They were still on the run. It would be years later when Williams would be picked up in a communal living house (Ohio?). And when Manning was picked up sunning himself in his backyard by a swat team (Virginia?). It was williams who jumped out of the passenger side and emptied his 9mm on PL. Phil got off 5 or 6 rounds but was wounded and simply outgunned.One of Phil's bullets went thru the windshield, thru the backseat and into the spare tire in the trunk. Williams died in prison, and Manning continues to be subversive---last I read. Only in America!!!!

R. Brown
Head of Grand Jury, Trenton, NJ,

February 8, 2014

The killing of Tpr. Lamonaco aunched the largest manhunt in NJ police history and ended with the arrests of Raymond Levasseur, Patricia Gross, Richard Williams, Jaan Laaman, and Barbara Curzi on November 4, 1984, and Manning and his wife Carol on April 24, 1985.

All of them were associated with the United Freedom Front. There were home grown terrorist groups in the United States from the 1960s - 1970s - 1980s.

The investigation into Tpr. LaMonaco's murder identified Thomas Manning
as one of the shooters. Manning had ties to Massachusetts, the NJ SP sent investigators to work with the Task Force in Massachusetts until the suspects
were captured in 1984 and 1985!!!

Tpr. Phil LaMonaco will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Tpr. Stephen F. Byron, Retired
Massachusetts State Police

December 26, 2013

I was 15 when this happened. Trooper Lamonaco and law-enforcement officers like him, who did the job to the best of their ability every day to protect the public and their fellow officers is why I am in my 20th year of policing.

God Bless him and his family, you are not forgotten.

PO David M. Smith
SCPD

December 25, 2013

rest in peace

pfc j pease
cmpd

December 21, 2013

Thinking of you and your family during this holiday period. You will Always remembered and will never been forgotten.

Police constable Johnston
British transport police

December 19, 2013

Still missed to this day by his family and fellow troopers. That is certainly a measure of the man. The saying is "Gone but not forgotten". How true.

Sgt (ret) Jerry Kane
NYPD

October 15, 2013

I was attending a Christmas party when my brother Trooper Gary A. Kresge, Delaware State Police announced that you were murdered in the line of duty. My brother met you at a state police training seminar sometime before this horrific day. He liked the Outfit and you; you were family. At Christmas time you are always thought of with great admiration. I wish I was there on that day; I am not so sure I would’ve been much help. New Jersey as you know would not permit out of state officers to carry their weapons. But I would have done something. Thank you for being one of the finest. The Outfit misses you.

Capt. Glenn E. Kresge
Delaware Health and Social Services

July 30, 2013

I was just out of high school when Trooper Lamonaco was killed. I was trying to be a NJ State Trooper but ended up with NYPD. I always admired him even though I never meet him, as he was a "cops" cop. Last weekend I found out that the retired State Trooper that does my firearms qualifications attended the academy with him. Some internet searching brought me here. May his Wife and Daughter somehow find peace, and his Son always be safe.

PO Timothy Sharkey (ret)
NYPD

July 29, 2013

I am retired from the Rockaway Twp. NJ Police Dept and remember the day Tpr. Lamonaco was slain. I was off duty but told of the tragedy by a fellow Officer. I had met Phil a couple times in Rockaway Twp. Municipal Court as we waited for our cases to be called. His death although unbearably tragic for his beautiful family and so many others was not in vain. So many Officers, myself included, became better Officers because of his example. We became safer Officers because of the lessons learned from this tragedy. No one can possibly tell how many Police Officers lives he saved as we all were more aware, more cautious on our MV stops. Thanks Phil and may God continue to bless your family.

Det. Jim Andrews (Ret)
Rockaway Twp. Police

June 26, 2013

I will never forget the death of Trooper Lamonaco. I had been working on Rt. 280 at the time.It was very heart breaking to hear of this terrible news. Trooper Lamonaco,a Vietnam vet.,had just been named Police Officer of the year by the Newark Star-Ledger. I have since moved out of state,but this is something that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Mario DeArco
City of Lynn,Ma. Inspectional Services

May 2, 2013

Thinking of you and your family.

PC 4125 JOHNSTON
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE

January 20, 2013

I remember the sad incident withTrooper Lamonaco when he was killed.In your article it said that he had a 9MM.
I thought that he had a .38 and after that, the State Police
had changed the guns to 9mm. because he was outgunned by the Radicals which included Joann Chesimard who escaped and went to Cuba.
Can tou shed any light on this ?

Thank YOU

RICHARD BONNET
NONE

January 10, 2013

Trooper Lamonaco,
Sir, even though it has been 31 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of New Jersey. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

December 21, 2012

Thirty one years ago this evening, I was 4 years old and home with my mom and dad. I don’t remember if it was someone knocking at our door or a phone call, but I remember my father getting some news. His dear friend, Phillip Lamonaco had been killed in the line of duty. I remember my mother and father both wailing in tears and praying aloud for Mrs. Lamonaco, Laura, Michael, and Baby Sarah. I don’t remember if I ever met Mr. Lamonaco, however, I knew Mrs. Lamonaco from our church and also went to school with Laura and Michael at our little local Christian school. Your family is amazing and strong. The courage and determination I saw daily in Mrs. Lamonaco has never left my memory though I was so young. I remember Michael always dressed up as a police officer for our Halloween parties at school and always wanted to be a state trooper like his dad.

Over the years I have never forgotten your family and have held them in my heart. I am now married and my husband is a Polk County Deputy Sheriff here in Central Florida and has been for the last 6 years. We have a 7 year old daughter, Kurzen. As Christmas approaches, your family has always come to my mind and never realized until I grew older it was because you were killed on December 21st. Childhood memories are blurry with dates and times.

My husband will be working all night long this evening. Kurzen and I always pray for his safety and all of the officers’ safety every evening. If not for you, my husband and all law enforcement across the country, we would not be safe from the evil of this world and I thank you for your service and the sacrifice for us. No length of time has dimmed that memory of that night so long ago. You are honored by Mrs. Lamonaco, Laura, Michael and Sarah every day and never forgotten. I look forward to the honor of meeting you someday in Heaven when will all be together again. Until then. . .

Trisha Stocks Weinreich
Wife and Sister-in-Law of Polk County Deputy Sherriff

December 21, 2012

RIP Phil .... never forgotten .... was there for your funeral and participated in dedicating your name to the Law Enfircement Wall in DC ...

Detective Franklin Field Jr. #79 retired
Brick Township Police Department

December 21, 2012

I remember that day in December of 1981; it was on the first anniversary of my swearing in as a police officer the year before. I am grateful for the many police society’s like the IAPSNJ that keep the memory of such heroes as Trooper Philip Joseph Lamonaco and Lieutenant Lester Amos Pagano and all of our fallen police officers alive.

Ret. Det. Joe Gasco
Parsippany Police Dept. Parsippany NJ

January 29, 2012

Thank you for your service brother.

Patrolman James Stanko
Allentown Police

January 2, 2012