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Gary L. Peaco
Incident
Police Officer Gary Peaco was killed in an automobile crash while responding to an "officer needs assistance" call from two members of the New York City Police Department. The two NYPD officers had just engaged four robbery suspects in a gun battle. The four males were suspected of stealing a gold neck chain at gunpoint from another man in the East Tremont section of the Bronx at about 5:25 am. During the shootout, the two officers left their vehicle to seek cover. When they did, two of the four suspects stole their police car and fled. Officer Peaco and his partner were responding to the "10-13" call from the officers and were traveling north on the Grand Concourse near Echo Place when they passed an ambulance that was responding to an unrelated call. As they passed, the ambulance clipped the rear of their police car, causing it to spin out of control, strike a lamppost, then a tree, and burst into flames. Officer Peaco, who was driving, was thrown from the vehicle and landed 30 feet away. Officer Peaco was transported to Jacobi Hospital but did not survive his injuries. Police Officer Gary L. Peaco had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for two and half years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and twin daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Peaco gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Peaco.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has lost 19 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Gary is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Gary is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gary is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 4 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gary was 29. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Gary had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Gary was 29. 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. Gary had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 21.1% of all 19 deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department, the 2nd 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
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Philip Schultz
Oct 9, 1965
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Willie L Stephenson
Jul 3, 1966
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Robert Harris
Dec 20, 1967
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Arthur Pelo
Sep 25, 1971
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Harold L. Marshall
Dec 7, 1971
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Carson Terry
Dec 20, 1971
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Vito A. Chiaramonte
Sep 26, 1977
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James O. Washington
May 29, 1978
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Ted W. Donald
Jun 15, 1979
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James T. Dunston
Nov 20, 1980
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Jan Hendrik Brinkers
May 4, 1981
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James G. Carragher
Feb 11, 1982
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James Holmes
Mar 23, 1986
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Anthony Oswald McLean
Apr 13, 1988
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Gary L. Peaco
Jun 16, 1988
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Paul Heidelberger
Jul 18, 1992
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Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.
Jul 4, 1993
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John Williamson
Oct 8, 1993
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Alfred T. Boesch
Jan 21, 1995
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
