Who Is It Named After? Arthur DeMatte Memorial Park

LARCHMONT, NY — The villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont are home to a handful of so-called "pocket" parks, but none quite as special as the Arthur DeMatte Memorial Park.

The words on the plaque honoring Patrolman Arthur DeMatte read, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." The marker pays tribute to the Larchmont police officer who was killed in the line of duty on October 12, 1976.

According to The New York Times, the 20-year veteran of the force was just a year from retirement when he was killed by a transient he was attempting to remove from busy MTA train tracks who got a hold of his gun and shot him. DeMatte's killer was caught trying to flee the scene of the crime in DeMatte's patrol car while the 46-year-old lay dying nearby.

DeMatte had a wife and four children, including a ten-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter, at home at the time he was killed.

A memorial honors the sacrifice of Larchmont police officer Arthur "Artie" DeMatte. (Jeff Edwards | Patch)

The park was re-dedicated to honor the fallen police officer on Oct. 12, 2001 by the Larchmont Police Benevolent Association to mark the 25th anniversary of his murder. The park is located on a narrow island of land between Palmer Avenue and Parkway Street near where the police officer known as "Artie" by his fellow officers gave his life.

The inscription on the dedication at Arthur DeMatte Memorial Park reads,"Ye shall never be forgotten." (Jeff Edwards | Patch)

SEE ALSO:

• Who Is It Named After? Eddie Foy Park
• What Is It Named After? The Leatherstocking Trail