Anthony Gerald Zecca Jr.

Tony was born in the Bronx New York to Anthony and Sophia Zecca on December 26th 1931.  He went to school at P.S 48, Stuyvesant High School and Saint Thomas University.  He married Ann Marie Zurzolo on June 4th 1950 at Saint Athanasius Roman Catholic Church in the Bronx, NY they were married for 55 years. 

He was a NYC Police Officer in 41st Precinct South Bronx (Fort Apache) for 15 years, he then went to the Department of Investigations for 5 years undercover, retiring at the rank of Detective.

This not being enough, he was hired within a year as a Police Officer for the Miccosukee Police Department, quickly rising to the rank of Lieutenant, then Tribal Police Chief. He achieved this in less than 3 years, while going to college and night and receiving a BA in Law Enforcement from Saint Thomas University; a total of 46 years of Public Service in Law Enforcement.

During his history he was awarded NYPD expert marksman, Meritorious Citation, Meritorious Police Work ribbon and Honor Legion. He was on the Executive Committee of the International Order of Chiefs of Police, and was awarded for “Outstanding Contributions to Law Enforcement and the IOCP.”

After his undercover case broke, he wrote the following:

 At the end of the trials A.D.A. Blumenkoff was recognized as an expert in the prosecution of bribery and official misconduct cases.  When I retired, A.D.A. Blumenkoff wrote me a beautiful complementary recommendation, saying:

“Detective Zecca, whom I consider to be one of the finest detectives in the New York City Police Department, came to the District Attorney’s Office in December 1974, and was placed in charge of five detectives and investigators assigned to the investigation. Detective Zecca’s leadership abilities became readily apparent from the manner in which he supervised the officers under him, and the results, which he achieved. On a daily basis, Detective Zecca carried out his assignments conscientiously, tactfully, and with the highest degree of professionalism.”   

On May 7th 2002 a letter of his retirement was forwarded to Congress and signed by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Carrie P. Meek, Congressman E.Clay Shaw, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Peter Deutsch, and Alcee Hastings. On June 5th 2002 his retirement was announced on the floor of the House of Reresentatives. He wrote a book telling his life story, for the family he left a remarkable legacy.

Tony is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Anne Marie, his parents Anthony and Sofie Zecca, his father and mother in law Joseph and Margret Zurzolo, his son in law Charles Valentino, his nephew John Lassourreille, and his brother in law Bill Lassourreille. 

Tony is survived by his daughter Linda Valentino, his son and spouse Joseph and Christine Zecca, and his son Anthony Zecca Jr., his sister Rosalie Lassourreille, his brother Joseph and Kate Zecca, his grandchildren and their spouses Rachael and Daniel Valentino, Chris and Christie Valentino, his grandchildren Kasey, Emily, and Brooklyn Zecca, his great- grandchildren Catie, Audrey and Laney Valentino, and his nieces and their spouses Susan and Mark Gould, Michelle and Bruce Powell, Karen Zecca, and his nephews Michael and Steven Zecca.