Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Lawrence Stefane was stabbed to death after being attacked by a man suffering from a mental health issue. Patrolman Stefane and his partner were sitting in their police vehicle when a man approached and tapped on the window. When Patrolman Stefane rolled it down, the man said "all of you pigs need to be dead", and then leaned in and stabbed him in the chest with a butcher's carving knife. As he pushed his partner out of harms way, he shot his assailant twice critically wounding him and then lost consciousness. Patrolman Stefane was transported to a local hospital by his partner where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect, 22, had been released from a psychiatric hospital two days earlier. Two years earlier he had attacked another New York officer with a knife and was shot 8 times by that officer and his fellow officers before he was subdued. He had a long criminal record stating that during the 10 prior arrests he attacked the arresting officer every time. His mother was so afraid of him, she moved to another state. His neighbors would not let their kids play outside. New York Mayor John V. Lindsay asked the hospital why they let him out. They said he stopped showing signs of insanity. Their explanation satisfied no one including the mayor. He was convicted of Patrolman Stefane's murder and sentenced to life in prison with no parole. In 2010 he was transferred to a mental hospital where he died in 2013. Patrolman Stefane had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was assigned to the 9th Precinct.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-8D37A85E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Stefane gave the New York City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stefane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Lawrence Stefane is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Stefane's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Stefane Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Stefane is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Stefane was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
