Name : Peaco, Gary 

Rank: P.O.
Shield #: 4017 Command: Housing Authority Police Service Area 7
Date of Death: 1988-06-16   Cause of Death: Auto Accident
     
 Officer Peaco was killed in an automobile accident while responding to an officer needs assistance call from the New York City Police Department. Those officers had just been shot at and the suspects were fleeing in a stolen police vehicle. While responding to the call, Officer Peaco's vehicle ricocheted off a New York City ambulance, slammed into a tree and burst into flames. Officer Peaco was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly. The two men police were chasing were charged with the murder.

He was 29 years old.  
 
     
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Comments from Friends    
     
I am proud to have been a good friend of Gary's. He came from the most unusual of NYPD beginnings. Gary came from Maine. He was the son of a minister who had traveled the Bible Belt in a travelling summer tent ministry. He left behind a wife, Jackie, and two twin daughters.
— Sgt. Kevin Graiani
Gary was my first full-time partner and he is sorely missed. He was a huge man, standing at 6'5" and close to 300 lbs. When need be he used his size to get the job done but that didn't stop him from being kind and gentle to the smallest child. Gary, you were a great partner and a true friend, I miss you. Steve
— Detective Steve Lanoce
Gary, you will always be thought of and missed. I remember all those nights backing each other up in the projects and on the streets. No matter the job you always had a pat on the back or a kind word, I will never forget.
— steve heberling
rest in peace.
— sjs
Posted: November 7, 2006, 9:23 am
I patrolled sector BCG in the 44 for several years while Gary was in PSA 7. Anytime anyone ever called for an 85, Gary Peaco was there. As a cop, he was an alert, active, gracious and brave patrolmen. As a man he was anything but conventional. I was very sad when I learned of his death. I was proud to know him and work with him. We backed him up in the projects and he backed us up on the street. RIP brother, you are remembered and missed.
— Montgomery Delaney
Posted: February 13, 2009, 1:46 pm
I went through the Police Academy with Gary. He and I were very good friends and I still think about him and his family. Has anyone heard from his wife and daughters? Skeeter
— Ray Skeeter
Posted: December 17, 2009, 11:40 pm
My first cousin Jackie was Gary's wife who now lives in Orlando, Florida with their two daughters. The twins are about to graduate college. Gary would be so proud of them. Jackie's brother Leroy died two weeks ago. Leroy was in Vietnam and lost an eye in that war. The many times that I spent talking to Gary and Leroy were unforgettable. They both are missed but they are in God's hands!
— Adolph Fulton
Posted: February 23, 2010, 1:21 pm
Gary was my brother in law but he also a good friend .He was always there for me. He patrolled the projects where i lived (forest houses). when i knew he was working I knew that not only my children be all the children would be when safe to playing outside. gary was a will always be the gentle giant to me . The love and devotion he showed my sister and their twins was the same love he show me my family and anyone else who knew him .I miss him so much but i know he,s watching over us each day . rest in peace my gentle giant until the day we see each other again . we love you.you will be so happy to know that kind heart you had has been passed on to your daugthers (smile)
— vickie mayes
Posted: March 5, 2010, 10:13 pm
Hi, I’m Sophia Peaco—Gary Lee Peaco’s daughter. Speaking for my mother, my sister, and myself, I would like to thank you all for your kind words about my father. Even though my twin sister (Natasha) and I did not have the chance to know him well, because he died when we were only three years old, our mother has kept his memory alive. For our whole lives, our mother has spoken only well of him, and we are grateful for that, but to actually read it from others means more to us than we can express. Your words make us feel honored to have had him as our father. If anyone is wondering, we did go to trial behind my father’s death, but our lawyer lost the case, we were awarded nothing. Still, my mother made sure that, with the help of the PBA, the Survivors of the Shield, and the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, we have always had everything we needed. As he would have wanted, my mother taught my sister and me the importance of being virtuous and educated women. We both have our Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees and are currently in graduate school. Speaking of which, Mother says hello to Detective Steve Lanoce and Tom Frie; she would really like for you both to come to our next graduations. My father always spoke very highly of you two, and it would mean so much if you were to come.
— Sophia Peaco
Posted: March 6, 2010, 10:06 pm
Gary was a great man of God first and formost,a wonderful husband and a dedicated father who wanted the very best for his family especially for "Gods Gift to Gary" his loving wife who is my dear sister in the lord and best friend. Gary was a man that you saw not only honor but someone who represented someone you would love for your very own to emulate. Gentle Giant he was and will ever be in our hearts I will always remember him not only for how he was as an officer, but how he taught and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ.I knew that when Gary became a police officer The streets and the projects was not only getting a gaudian angel but they were getting a prayer warrior, someone who not only carried a 38 caliber he carried the whole armor of God thru his beliefs,His life and his commitment towards mankind.There is only one Gary Lee peaco.Gary and Jackie christened my first born where we attended the same church at Salvation and Deliverance Church in 1984.I shall never forget how he would not come by after the christening to avoid all the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese I had made just so that he could be fit for the police department.I called that real dedication when you turned down fried chicken,Nevertheless Gary will always be in our hearts and mind. Jackie has done a fantastic job in raising the girls who look so much like there father but you can feel Gary thru Sophie and that is a plus. Thank you NYPD for the oppurtunity to share our thoughts on Officer,Elder Peaco for truly he is an angel.God Bless you. Rest on Gary until we see each other again at the masters table. Deborah Thompson Augusta Georgia. sleeping under the same roof with this great man of Godand
— Deborah Thompson
Posted: April 19, 2010, 6:53 pm
Sophia, I just read your post about your dad. Your dad was so special. He loved your mom and you girls so much. I remember you girls playing with him like it was yesterday. Your dad was my best friend and I think of him often. We had so many good times together. I received your invitation for your and your sisters graduation and I would not miss it for the world. I lost touch with your family when you moved out of state, and am sorry for this. I will see you soon and we can catch up and tell you about what a great dad you have,
— Tom Frey
Posted: April 21, 2010, 12:31 am
Dear Sophia! It was so good to read your post. I think of you and Natasha and your mom often, and was so happy to see that you continued your education and are doing well. As you know I was partnered with your noble father on the night of his passing. I tried to find you on the Internet to see how you were doing, and also to tell you that your dad spent the VERY last "minutes" of his life talking about you and Natasha. He was so proud of you and couldn't wait to get home to you the next morning after our midnight shift! (So so sorry Sophia!!!) We were driving around the South Bronx that hot night in June, and your dad would not stop telling me about you. He was a great man. We called him the "gentle giant." On that same night about 2AM or so, he took the time to stop some very young kids and talk to them and tell them to go home. They were hanging out in an abandoned and drug infested building. Just before we responded to the 911, he talked a man from committing suicide. The man had no legs since Vietnam, and was about to give up on life. When the 911 came over, I told your dad it was too far away but he said it didn't matter since fellow police officers were shot at, so we went to try to help them. The stories go on and on. etc etc etc !!! Your dad was truly amazing! This was all in one night. But his words about you were the last memories I have of him before I blanked out that night myself. All my love, Don
— Don Plunkett
Posted: June 3, 2010, 9:13 pm
We thank you, Donald, for your kind words. It is a comfort to know that our father thought of us even until the end. As you know, we moved to Florida after he died. We have been living in the same house for 21 years, so feel free to write to us. We would like to hear from you. In fact, it would mean a lot to us if you came to our next graduations, when we receive our Masters degrees. My mom says hello to you and your family.
— Sophia Peaco
Posted: June 4, 2010, 6:30 pm
Sophia! Great to read your reply! Please email me your info and the dates for the graduation - I don't have it any longer, long long story, but sorry no less! You can email me at DonPlunkett@gmail.com or i'm on FB Don Chip Plunkett ... Thanks so much, Love, Don
— Don Plunkett
Posted: June 8, 2010, 4:06 pm

 

 

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