STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Anthony “Tony” DiPalma, who retired as the longest-serving uniformed officer in the NYPD after an extraordinary 44-year career, died on Nov. 7. He was 74.
His dedication to family, colleagues and community made him a beloved figure to those who knew him as well as a mentor to generations of cops.
Born on Jan. 8, 1951, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, to Francesco and Theresa DiPalma, DiPalma dedicated his life to service.
In 1969, the then-18-year-old DiPalma found his calling when he walked into Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and took the entrance exam to be a New York City police officer, he said in a 2013 interview with the Advance/SILive.com.
Sgt. Michael Alfiere, left, gives Lt. Anthony DiPalma an award from the NYPD Columbia Association as Lt. John Peruffo, right, looks on during the ceremony.Staten Island Advance
During his career, he watched New York City and the NYPD shift and transform over the decades, working through the eras of anti-corruption commissions, through the heroin epidemic in the 1970s and the crack epidemic in the 1990s, and through the onslaught of prescription drug abuse on Staten Island.
In the 1990s, he witnessed the consolidation of the transit, housing and city police into a single department. He saw the inception of the statistics-focused CompStat program, and the rise and fall of the city’s stop-and-frisk tactics.
He even met his wife, Robin, on the job, when he went to help a disabled motorist. The couple went on to spend 40 years of marriage together.
DiPalma moved to Staten Island in July 1996 as a lieutenant in the 120th Precinct, based in St. George. Two years later, he joined the South Shore’s 123rd Precinct, first as the special operations lieutenant, and then the “third platoon” commander of the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift, according to Advance/SILive.com archives.
After a 2013 ceremony at the 123rd Precinct stationhouse honoring Lt. Anthony DiPalma on the occasion of his final day at work, the new retiree and his wife Robin get into a vintage police car to be escorted home.Staten Island Advance
When DiPalma retired as a lieutenant from the NYPD in 2013, he was the most senior uniformed member of the NYPD.
“We mourn the passing of retired Lieutenant Anthony DiPalma. With 44 years on the job, he was the longest-serving uniformed member of the service,” said Staten Islander and NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He looked out for our cops, mentored generations, and served with heart. Our condolences to his family and colleagues.”
According to his online obituary, DiPalma continued to serve others through his work with Lieutenants Benevolent Association and the New York City Road Runners.
DiPalma’s greatest joy, beyond his lengthy career, was his family. He was a loving father and grandfather, as well as a dedicated husband, cherished brother, uncle, cousin, and loyal friend to many, the obituary said.
DiPalma enjoyed golfing, watching the Jets, playing the guitar, singing and fishing with his friends.
“He will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and the deep love he shared with everyone fortunate enough to know him,” the tribute said.
DiPalma’s visitation services were handled by Casey-McCallum- Rice Funeral Home in Great Kills. His funeral Mass was held Wednesday at Holy Child R.C. Church in Annadale.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the family requested in his obituary.
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