ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – The Andover Township Police Department is mourning the death of one of its own with the passing of retired Lieutenant Alan “Gooch” L. Monaco.
Alan “Gooch” L. Monaco, 68, passed away peacefully in Newton on Thursday, July 6, according to his obituary.
He was born on Nov. 22, 1954, in Paterson to the late Louis Monaco and Jean Knorr. Al lived in North Haledon prior to moving to Andover Township, where he lived for 50 years, his obituary said.
Lieutenant Al Monaco began his career in law enforcement as a Special Police Officer with the Lincoln Park Police Department in October of 1976. While there, he attended the Morris County Police Academy and graduated as a Class II Special in November of 1977, according to the Andover Township Police Department.
In September of 1980, Lieutenant Monaco was appointed to the Andover Township Police Department as a Class II Special. Monaco went on to become a full-time officer after attending the New Jersey Police Academy in Sea Girt from April of 1981 to July of 1981, police said.
In 1988 Monaco was appointed as the department’s Traffic Safety Officer and was promoted the following year to the rank of Sergeant on September 4, 1989. In April of 2003, Monaco was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he served out his final years with the department before retiring after 25 years of service to the Township of Andover in February of 2006, police said.
During his 25 year career, Lieutenant Monaco was well known by many officers and agencies for his expertise in Accident Reconstruction. He held numerous certifications in accident investigation including Traffic Accident Reconstruction, Accident Causation & Analysis, Accident Scene Preservation, Applied Physics For Traffic Crash Investigators and Technical Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Investigation, police said.
Additionally, he was a member of the New Jersey Association of Accident Reconstructionist. Lieutenant Monaco was on the Sussex County Crash Team for several years where he responded to many serious accidents throughout Sussex County. His passion and knowledge in this area led him to be considered a “subject matter expert” in which he testified on many criminal cases, police said.
Lieutenant Monaco was also a certified Police Instructor with the Police Training Commission and had held the position of Emergency Management Coordinator for Andover Township, police said.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Lieutenant Al “Gooch” Monaco. We will miss your laughter and your cigars. Rest easy brother!,” police said.
He was the founder of the Garlic Run.
Al is survived by his loving wife Patricia Monaco. Also surviving is his stepson Michael Sullivan II and his Fiancé Elena Maldonado. He is also survived by his foster daughter Danielle M. Goncalves and her husband Bryan. His two grandchildren Kai Sullivan and Lucas Goncalves.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Monday, July 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home, located at 156 Main Street, in Newton. The Funeral Service for Al will be held on Tuesday, July 11 in the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.
