Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Lonto was killed in an automobile crash at Highland Place and Jamaica Avenue while responding to a call at 8:00 a.m. Patrolman Lonto and his partner were en route to a train accident scene where a man was struck and killed by a train. Their vehicle was traveling south on Highland Place when a car traveling west on Jamaica Avenue hit them. The force of impact flipped the vehicle over. Patrolman Lonto was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was charged with manslaughter. The judge dismissed it based on insufficient evidence but fined him $2 for failure to give the right-of-way. However, due to his court case, authorities discovered he had given an incorrect address for another vehicle summons. He was given a 30-day jail sentence and fined $25. The week prior, he had been cited for bravery for his response during a holdup where the robbers had held 30 people hostage. Patrolman Lonto and his partner apprehended the criminals without any patrons getting injured. Patrolman Lonto had served with the New York City Police Department for 12 years, assigned to the 75th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-F6662B4A- 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 Lonto gave the New York City Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lonto.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael J. Lonto is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. Lonto's cause is highlighted.
How Michael J. Lonto Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. Lonto is highlighted in Nov.
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.
