The DEA regrets to announce the passing of retired P.O. Louis Matarazzo on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Lou served as a Police Officer in the New York City Police Department for more than 35 years — 31 of those years as a functionary of the PBA. Lou spent more than 55 years representing Law Enforcement Officers of all ranks: more than a half-century of serving New York’s Finest.
After retiring from the Police Department, and since February of 2000, Lou served as Legislative Director for the Detectives’ Endowment Association. He also became the Legislative Director for the Lieutenants Benevolent Association and the Captains’ Endowment Association. He was a member of the Legislative Committee of the New York State Association of PBAs (now merged into the PCNY, Police Conference of New York), as well as the Legislative Director of the Public Employees Conference of the State of New York (PEC). He also formerly served as the Chairman of PEC, which represents more than 200,000 members of dozens of public sector unions.
In his position as Legislative Director, Lou played a key role in the passage of numerous laws that protect the salaries and pensions, as well as the health and welfare benefits, of municipal workers. Among his proudest achievements was his work on the passage of legislation instituting disability pensions and line of duty death benefits for those who become ill (and/or die) as a result of their work related to the World Trade Center attacks and the rescue and recovery efforts of 9/11. In 2006, Lou was appointed to the Governor’s 9/11 Worker Protection Task Force and he served as the Vice Chairman of the Board. He also spent decades on the Board of Directors of COP-SHOT.
Lou Matarazzo is a legendary figure in the history of New York City policing and the history of the New York Police Department. He tirelessly fought for and championed the rights of all law enforcement Officers of all ranks. His contributions to the men and women of the NYPD have been incalculable. He will be deeply missed.
Viewing Service
Thursday, February 16, 2023
1400 to 1600 hours
1800 to 2100 hours
Saint Agnes Parish Center
North Village Avenue
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Funeral Service
Friday, February 17, 2023
1100 hours
Saint Agnes Cathedral
29 Quealy Place
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Interment
Holy Rood Cemetery
111 Old Country Road
Westbury, NY 11590
