Police Officer William J. Perry, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, New York

Police Officer William J. Perry

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, New York

End of Watch Monday, December 22, 1980

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William J. Perry

Police Officer William Perry was and killed by a subject he had asked to not to smoke a cigarette on a PATH train.

Officer Perry, who was working in plainclothes, asked the subject to put out his cigarette. The subject refused, and at the next stop Officer Perry attempted to eject the subject from the train at the Journal Square station in Jersey City, New Jersey. A struggle ensued and the subject drew a handgun from his coat and fatally shot Officer Perry.

The subject then fled the train station and stole a car. He was apprehended ten days later in Atlanta, Georgia. It was later determined that the subject was wanted in Jersey City for several shootings.

The man was sentenced to 44 years in prison, but was released in June 2003 after serving only 22 years.

Officer Perry and served with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife and two young children.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 4 years
Badge 1367

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location New Jersey
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Paroled in 2003

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PA William Perry grew up in the same town as me. He was a senior in HS when I was a freshman. I did not know him other than to know who he was. His death on Dec 22, 1980 was a shock to the town. A year later on Dec 21,1981 we lost another member of his class NJSP Trooper II Philip Lamonaco. Both their deaths created a trauma and loss to all who knew them. All these years later the loss of both has never been forgotten nor has the prayers for both their families. You will always be in our hearts. I will always be for them in any way I can support them. Senseless murders of two great human beings and trauma to all who knew & loved them for a lifetime. Always in the family corner. Rest in peace. Your friends will continue your mission.

Civil Service - Legal Secretary Eleanor
MC Pros Office - ret

December 29, 2021