Mourned Suffolk PD Detective ‘Touched A Lot Of Lives’: Colleague

HAUPPAUGE, NY — The Suffolk County Police Department is mourning the loss of the 4th Precinct's Det. Sgt. James Stapleton, who died Saturday after battling cancer.

Stapleton, a 49-year-old father, earned 13 recognitions —including three departmental and 10 from his command — for "distinguished police work" during his 26-year career with the department, according to a police news release.

The 4th Squad's Det. Sgt. Keith Serper, who knew Stapleton for 10 years, described him "as a truly selfless individual who would go above and beyond to help someone in need and always treated everyone with respect."

“You would be hard-pressed to find one person without a kind word to say about him,” he said, adding, “He touched a lot of lives.”

Stapleton, who was sworn into the police academy in October 1995, served as a uniformed patrol officer in the 6th and 5th precincts before receiving the designation of detective in May 2006. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to the 4th Precinct's patrol in 2019, and then its Crime Section in July 2021. More recently, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant of the Identification Section at police headquarters in Yaphank.

Fourth Precinct Insp. Michael Romagnoli called Stapleton "a fantastic human being and one of the finest officers and detectives I have had the honor of meeting in my 34-years as a police officer.”

“His loss will be felt not only as a colleague, but as a friend," he added.

Robert Viscuso, of the Suffolk County Police Superior Officers Association, knew Stapleton for five years and explained that he "was always determined to put others first."

Even when Stapleton became sick, he offered to help others instead of focusing on himself, Viscuso said.

“Jimmy battled an utterly evil disease with admirable courage,” he added.

Acting Suffolk County Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron said Stapleton "truly exemplified what it means" to be a member of the police department "through his work ethic, dedication to duty, and character."

“The Suffolk County Police family has suffered a tremendous loss with his passing and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time," he said.

A private funeral mass will be held later this week, according to police.