NEW HYDE PARK, NY (PIX11) — Friends and family said their final farewell to NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack at her funeral Saturday.
She was killed in a tragic car crash on her day off last Friday. Police said a man was driving while intoxicated and crashed a minivan into a Long Island nail salon while Rennhack was inside. Three other people were also killed, and nine people were injured, according to police.
In a final act of honor and remembrance, a sea of blue lined Lakeville Road as loved ones paid their respects to Officer Rennhack at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home.
Angie Colon formed a close bond with Rennhack, who worked alongside her at the 102nd precinct.
"She was full of life,” Colon said. “She was just as big as her smile. She has a very beautiful smile. Beautiful person inside and out. Everybody just adored her."
Rennhack was a six-year veteran of the NYPD. The driver of the minivan, Steven Schwally, has since been charged with a DWI but has pleaded not guilty. Schwally was also arrested and charged with a DWI back in 2014. PBA President Patrick Hendry is now calling for justice to be served.
"The justice system failed in this case,” said Hendry. “This individual shouldn't have been out driving a car. Had many, many drinks and took a person's life, and took many people's lives that day and injured others."
Mayor Eric Adams said Rennhack's dedication to serving the community will never be forgotten while also speaking about her Polish background.
"Every corner of the globe is wearing that blue uniform because those countries come here,” said Adams. “They know the prerequisite to our prosperity is public safety and they're willing to put their lives on the line here, and I wanted to come here and show my respect."
As the service came to an end, the solemn sound of bagpipes filled the air. Rennhack's casket draped in the NYPD flag as her comrades in blue gently placed it into the hearse. As a procession carried her body to its final resting place, those who cherished her most are remembering Rennhack as a loving and dedicated officer gone too soon.
"It's sad, but it's nice to see everybody come together for such a beautiful girl, and we're always going to remember her,” Colon said. “She's never going to be forgotten.
