Rick Lazio: “this past Saturday, I attended the funeral of Kevin Gillespie, a New York City police officer from Lindenhurst, Long…”

“this past Saturday, I attended the funeral of Kevin Gillespie, a New York City police officer from Lindenhurst, Long Island, who was senselessly killed last Thursday while attempting to arrest three carjackers in the Bronx. Officer Kevin Gillespie, who was only 33 years old, was the father of two young sons, Danny, age 7, and Bobby, age 4. What makes Kevin heroic is that he risked everything in an attempt to make the streets of New York City safer for people that he probably didn't even know. He had been a member of the elite Street Crime Unit for only 4 months. He was described by those in his unit as a hard worker who was good at what he did. He loved his work and loved his unit. The Street Crime Unit is responsible for fighting crime in some of the city's worst neighborhoods. He gave what Lincoln so aptly called the last, full measure of devotion, while trying to prevent violent criminals from escaping. As St. John the Apostle said in the Bible, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." I had the opportunity to meet Kevin Gillespie's mother and wife. There are no words that one can say in such a situation. As I looked into their eyes, and saw their pain, I was filled with a sense of deep personal loss. I was particularly moved when I learned that Kevin's son, Danny, wrote a note with a crayon and put it in his father's coffin which read, "Dad, I'm sorry that you died. I love you.…”