Long Island, NY: A Long Island county police officer, Patricia Espinosa, 42, was on her way to her department headquarters when a drunk driver tragically killed her before she could start her shift.
It was reported that a drunk driver ran through a red light on Saturday, January 31st, in Suffolk County, Long Island, and slammed into a 2019 Alfa Romeo driven by Espinosa.
In another heartbreaking twist, her husband and fellow police officer, Francisco Malaga, was among the first to respond to the tragic accident, but didn’t know it was his wife who was involved.
It has also been reported that since Espinosa was “off the clock”, her family would not receive any retirement benefits, according to Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
“She was … an up-and-coming star on this job. The way she treated people and her communities made her loved by all of the men and women that worked with her,” Ryder told the media.
Espinosa was a mere 35 minutes away from being on duty. Had she been “on the clock” when the tragic accident occurred, her family would have received her retirement benefits.
Local Pizza Industry Steps Up
Anthony Laurino, the owner of Phil’s Pizza, was instrumental in organizing a pizza fundraiser to help support the Espinosa family. He is associated with an organization known as LI Pizza Strong, which coordinated a massive, 311-strong network of pizzerias to raise money for the Espinoza family.
Each restaurant agreed to donate $5 for each pizza sold in one day, and sold a whopping 33,233 pizza pies. Countless other caring people donated to the cause, and in total, nearly $200k was raised in just one day.
The money is slated to go towards a college fund for their 2-year-old daughter.
This wasn’t LI Pizza Strong’s first fundraiser to support a fallen officer. In 2024, LI Pizza Strong came together to support the family of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller and raised over $181k in a similar program.
Laurino told the media that his restaurant was nearly four times busier than on a normal workday.
“It was nonstop all day. Everybody said they were there to support the cause. People even came in the days after trying to give,” he told the NY Post.
A family member from the Espinoza family received a $188k check at a ceremony at the Nassau PBA Headquarters just days ago.
A crowdfunding campaign was also created on behalf of the Espinoza family and has raised $315k. If you would like to contribute, CLICK HERE.
“Patricia stood out, showing dedication and commitment. She was selected to become a Field Training Officer, guiding the young officers in all the procedures and tactics to make them assets. Patricia was assigned to post 505 - the North Elmont area. Patricia was also involved in the NCPD Mentoring Initiative - she was highly motivated and planted the seed of civil service into many of the young residents,” the campaign said.
The driver is awaiting trial and was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and aggravated vehicular assault.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
It was reported that a drunk driver ran through a red light on Saturday, January 31st, in Suffolk County, Long Island, and slammed into a 2019 Alfa Romeo driven by Espinosa.
In another heartbreaking twist, her husband and fellow police officer, Francisco Malaga, was among the first to respond to the tragic accident, but didn’t know it was his wife who was involved.
It has also been reported that since Espinosa was “off the clock”, her family would not receive any retirement benefits, according to Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
“She was … an up-and-coming star on this job. The way she treated people and her communities made her loved by all of the men and women that worked with her,” Ryder told the media.
Espinosa was a mere 35 minutes away from being on duty. Had she been “on the clock” when the tragic accident occurred, her family would have received her retirement benefits.
Local Pizza Industry Steps Up
Anthony Laurino, the owner of Phil’s Pizza, was instrumental in organizing a pizza fundraiser to help support the Espinosa family. He is associated with an organization known as LI Pizza Strong, which coordinated a massive, 311-strong network of pizzerias to raise money for the Espinoza family.
Each restaurant agreed to donate $5 for each pizza sold in one day, and sold a whopping 33,233 pizza pies. Countless other caring people donated to the cause, and in total, nearly $200k was raised in just one day.
The money is slated to go towards a college fund for their 2-year-old daughter.
This wasn’t LI Pizza Strong’s first fundraiser to support a fallen officer. In 2024, LI Pizza Strong came together to support the family of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller and raised over $181k in a similar program.
Laurino told the media that his restaurant was nearly four times busier than on a normal workday.
“It was nonstop all day. Everybody said they were there to support the cause. People even came in the days after trying to give,” he told the NY Post.
A family member from the Espinoza family received a $188k check at a ceremony at the Nassau PBA Headquarters just days ago.
A crowdfunding campaign was also created on behalf of the Espinoza family and has raised $315k. If you would like to contribute, CLICK HERE.
“Patricia stood out, showing dedication and commitment. She was selected to become a Field Training Officer, guiding the young officers in all the procedures and tactics to make them assets. Patricia was assigned to post 505 - the North Elmont area. Patricia was also involved in the NCPD Mentoring Initiative - she was highly motivated and planted the seed of civil service into many of the young residents,” the campaign said.
The driver is awaiting trial and was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and aggravated vehicular assault.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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