The body of an NYPD officer who went missing while kayaking with his five-year-old son has been recovered from a Long Island bay.
Shortly before noon on Saturday authorities found the remains of Patrick Luca, a 41-year-old NYPD officer from Smithtown, who was lost in the waters near the Nissequogue River in Smithtown Bay Friday afternoon while kayaking with his son.
The body was recovered after a massive overnight search by the Coast Guard, the NYPD and Nassau and Suffolk county authorities for the father and police officer.
"On behalf of the New York City Police Department, I extend deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Luca, and our appreciation to the Suffolk County police for their support," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said in a statement.
The boy, who was rescued by a Good Samaritan at about 3 p.m. on Friday, said he saw his father "go down" when their boat capsized, Coast Guard officials said. The father was not wearing a life jacket.
The little boy was shaken but not seriously hurt when he was discovered by a fisherman. He was able to tell rescuers that he and his father were kayaking.
"Thankfully the boy was wearing his life jacket and a Good Samaritan was in the area to recover him," said John Olsen, the command duty officer on watch during the incident.
Luca worked for the NYPD in its Manhattan recruiting division.
