KNOWLTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan was joined by retired Colonel Rick Fuentes and the Lamonaco family on Saturday to remember Trooper II Philip Lamonaco #2663, who was killed during a motor vehicle stop on December 21, 1981 in Knowlton Township.
Surrounded by family and friends, wife Donna Lamonaco and son, New Jersey State Police Lt. Michael Lamonaco, gathered off of Interstate 80 in Warren County to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of Trooper II Philip J. Lamonaco’s death at the very location where he was shot and killed.
On Dec. 21, 1981, at around 4:35 p.m., Trooper II Lamonaco was on patrol traveling west on Interstate 80 in Knowlton Township when he stopped a vehicle. During the stop, a gun battle ensued and Trooper II Lamonaco was shot nine times. He was taken to Mount Pocono Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Colonel Callahan, who also served as Lt. Michael Lamonaco’s Trooper Coach when he graduated from the Academy, offered words of hope and remembrance and vowed that “We will never forget.”
“Our prayers and thoughts remain now and always with the Lamonaco family as we hope that peace and comfort come to them all this Christmas,” state police said.
