NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — Hundreds of police officers gathered alongside family, elected officials, and residents to say their goodbye to Officer Emilia Rennhack, who was killed by an alleged drunken driver last week in Long Island.
Rennhack, 30, was one of four people killed after Steven Schwally, 64, drove his 2020 Chevy Traverse through a Deer Park nail salon after consuming 18 beers on June 28, according to the New York Daily News.
Rennhack first began her work with New York’s Finest in 2018 and was off duty at the time of the crash. She was getting her nails done.
According to CBS News, photos of Rennhack were seen at New Hyde Park Funeral Home for all those paying their last respects.
“Those photos of our police officer Emilia tell it all. That infectious smile brought joy to the 102 Precinct stationhouse. She was just a friendly person who was liked by everyone who met her. She was an incredibly hard worker who touched so many lives,” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said, CBS News stated.
Schwally’s bail stands at $1 million; his present charges are likely going to be elevated, CBS News said. Additionally, he has a decade-old DWI conviction.
On top of the four deaths, nine other people were injured in the crash.
It was at Queens’ 102 Precinct that Rennhack met her husband, Det. Carl Rennhack. The couple was together for four years, and tied the knot in September of 2023, the Daily News reported.
“Here you have a family that came to America from Poland to live out the American dream, and that dream turned into a nightmare ... This tragic loss of losing a young lady like this is just going to impact everyone,” Mayor Eric Adams said, according to CBS News.
Schwally’s bail stands at $1 million; his present charges are likely going to be elevated, CBS News said. Additionally, he has a decade-old DWI conviction.
On top of the four deaths, nine other people were injured in the crash.