Funeral on LI for Slain Police Officer

The funeral mass for officer Arthur Lopez was being held Saturday at St. Christopher's Roman Catholic Church, in Baldwin

For the second time in less than a week, police from across the country came to Nassau county to mourn a fallen officer.

An estimated 10-thousand officers from more than 100 departments stood in silent formation outside St. Christopher's church in Baldwin for the funeral of Nassau county officer Arthur Lopez.

Lopez, 29, was shot and killed last Tuesday during a traffic stop on the Cross Island parkway.  His death came just days after another Nassau cop, officer Joseph Olivieri, was killed responding to a traffic accident on the Long Island expressway. Olivieri was buried Monday -- a funeral Lopez had attended.

"This is by far one of the most tragic weeks in the history of this department," said Nassau County Police Chief Steven Skrynecki.

Officer Lopez's mother, father and sister led the procession of mourners. Not far behind them were officer Olivieri's parents and the family of Raymond Facey, the Brooklyn grandfather who was killed just moments after officer Lopez.

The same man is charged with both murders. Ex-convict Darrell Fuller remains behind bars facing life in prison without parole, if convicted.

Lopez was remembered as a dedicated cop and devoted son. He called his mom every day before work during his eight years with the Nassau police department, according to Lt. Adam Scheiner, Lopez's commanding officer on Nassau's elite Emergency Services unit.

"Sometimes you can't wrap your arms around how someone could take a life like that," said Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.

Meryl Covatti, a police officer's wife, recalled spending time with officer Lopez a few weeks ago. It was their only meeting but Lopez made a big impression. Covatti tried to fix Lopez up with her sister.

"He was so sweet," said Covatti. "A very impressive man with an infectious smile."

Officer Lopez was the 34th Nassau County police officer to die in the line of duty.

He was awarded posthumously with Nassau's medal of valor, the county's highest honor. He was also promoted to detective. Both his new detective shield and his medal were presented to his family at the funeral.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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