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Incident
Lieutenant Payne died from injuries he received after being struck by a truck. On June 1, 1929, then Sergeant Payne was investigating a traffic accident at the intersection of Main, Pratt and Huguenot Streets when a truck struck him. He was taken to a local hospital and released to recover at home. While recovering at home, he died suddenly from a cerebral embolism. On September 1, while recovering, Sergeant Payne was promoted to Lieutenant. Unfortunately, he died before he was able to act in that capacity.
Survivors
Lieutenant Payne was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Payne gave the New Rochelle Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Rochelle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Payne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Rochelle Police Department has lost 10 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at New Rochelle Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 2.
In 1929, 18 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 44. Of the 6 lost to accidents at New Rochelle Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 42.5; the middle age was 40. Thomas had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 12.5 years.
Thomas was 44. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Thomas was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 33.3% of these deaths at New Rochelle Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 33.3%.
September holds 8.1% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at New Rochelle Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Rochelle Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Maurice Ahearn
Jun 20, 1903
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Thomas L. Payne
Sep 23, 1929
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Daniel F. Murphy
Apr 25, 1930
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Timothy Mahoney
May 5, 1930
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William E. Mancusi
Jul 20, 1934
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Allen Bruce McLeod, Sr.
Feb 14, 1977
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John C. Phillips
Oct 1, 1981
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Gary D. Pagano
Sep 14, 1982
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Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello
Aug 16, 2018
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Mark S. Gado
Sep 16, 2018
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New Rochelle Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
