Remembering Officer Geoffrey Breitkopf One Year Later

One year later, it remains one of the most tragic episodes in the history of the Nassau County police department.

Monday marked the first anniversary of the of Officer Geoffrey Breitkopf, in Massapequa Park. The line of duty death outside of a suspect's home, left the area shaken and a family without a husband and father.

"On March 12, 2011 our family lost a precious member of our family," Breitkopf's sister in-law Theresa Cunningham-Barndt wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to his memory.  "This year has been extremely difficult to say the least. As we try to get through this dreaded day.... Please keep Geoff and our family in your prayers."

"It's a sad and solemn day for us," said James Carver, the president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association. "One year ago, we lost a great police officer, we lost a great friend, and a family lost a great father. Geoffrey was one of a kind and we miss him each and every day." 

Breitkopf, who was 40 at the time of the shooting, was a member of the department's Bureau of Special Operations. He was responding to the scene of Anthony DiGeronimo, a Massapequa Park man who had charged at officers with knives, police have said.

Breitkopf  according to a report issued by District Attorney Kathleen Rice last month.

Nobody witnessed Breitkopf identifying himself as a cop and a colleague tried to stop him from advancing.  A struggle ensued and an off-duty MTA officer who also responded to the scene shot Breitkopf, according to the report.

He died at Nassau University Medical Center an hour later. The DA decided against filing charges against officers in either shooting.

The slain officer was in Selden

He was survived by his wife Paula and his two young sons, Connor and Owen.

But he remains in the hearts of friends relatives and colleagues.

"Geoff, words can never describe how much we love you and miss you... Especially Paula and the boys," Cunningham-Barndt wrote on the Facebook page.

"Geoff you will never be forgotten!" wrote another commenter, while a colleague wrote, "Always to be remembered, a true honor to know and work with. God Bless his family."

Carver said that he has reached out to officials in Massapequa Park to create a memorial for Breitkopf.

To make a donation in memory of Officer Breitkopf, submit a check payable to the Geoffrey Breitkopf Memorial Fund, to the office of the Nassau County PBA, 89 East Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, 11501.