We hold in our hearts and our prayers Police Officer Dennis Guerra, who passed away this morning at 6:50 a.m. and has given his life in the performance of his sworn duty to protect the public. He was 38 years old.

Police Officer Guerra leaves behind his wife, Cathy, and four children, Kathleen, 20; Jonathan, 17; Alyssa, 14; and Zachary, 7.

The death of a police officer as a result of an intentional act not only affects an individual, it is indeed a direct assault upon society as a whole. The entire city grieves this terrible loss. But we can take some measure of solace knowing that an arrest has been made in the arson that took Officer Guerra’s life and critically injured his partner, Police Officer Rosa Rodriguez, who continues to battle carbon monoxide poisoning and the effects of severe smoke inhalation.

On Sunday, Police Officers Guerra and Rodriguez had just finished transporting a prisoner to Brooklyn Central Booking and were near 2007 Surf Avenue when 911 calls for help were made after a fire broke out on the 13th floor of the Coney Island Housing Development building. Arriving immediately, and before other first responders, the officers took an elevator to the 13th floor, where they intended to warn and evacuate tenants, if necessary. But as they emerged from the elevator the officers were overcome by the acrid smoke quickly filling the hallway.

In the pitch-black, fire personnel were able to rapidly locate both unconscious officers and enable their swift transport to area hospitals, where medical staff performed equally heroically. As a result, Police Officer Rodriguez remains in critical, although stable, condition at Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. Police Officer Guerra, however, succumbed to his injuries. It is a startling reminder that what can appear to be a routine assignment can very quickly become deadly. Police Officer Guerra gave his life trying to save others. And that is the ultimate selfless act.

The actions of Police Officers Guerra and Rodriguez exemplify the courage shown day in and day out by our police officers. On behalf of the New York City Police Department, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Officer Guerra. It has been said that what we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others and the world is immortal. Though his loss is devastating to us, and especially to his family, we know Dennis will always live on in his countless acts of generosity in the lives that he protected, and in the city he helped make safer. That was the mission to which Dennis devoted his life, and we are forever grateful for him.

(YWN Desk – NYC)