Funeral for Off-Duty NYPD Officer Killed on LIE

About 900 people gathered in a Long Island church to say goodbye to an off-duty New York police officer killed Monday in an accident on the Long Island Expressway.

Officer Jospeh Pritchard was remembered Friday at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Lindenhurst.

About 500 officers stood outside the church as the 30-year-old officer's body was brought in a hearse escorted by police motorcycle officers.

Authorities say that early Monday morning, the off-duty officer's pickup truck stopped on the side of the LIE for an unknown reason and was hit from behind by a commercial truck.

Both vehicles caught on fire and Pritchard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pritchard, who played for NYPD's football team, lived alone with his dog in North Babylon, according to his neighbors. A dedicated, hard-working officer who often worked overtime, he was friendly and always said hello to everyone on the block, neighbors said. 

Police are still investigating why Pritchard's car was stopped.

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