NYPD buries detective without ability to console each other
There was no sea of blue. No emotional embraces. And the grief was hidden behind masks.
An NYPD detective who died from the coronavirus was laid to rest Friday by mourners who strictly adhered to social-distancing guidelines — far different than the shoulder-to-shoulder sendoffs that are typical for such somber occasions.
A few dozen detectives, wearing dark suits and various face coverings, lined Avenue Z in Sheepshead Bay while pensively staring ahead and standing feet apart for the funeral of Detective Jack Polimeni.
Polimeni’s masked widow broke down in tears as she was handed a folded flag after his coffin was placed in the hearse at the English Brothers Funeral Home — but Polimeni’s friends couldn’t console her.
“It’s hard that we can’t get close,” said Detective Jason Maggio, who was one of the few who was able to go in the funeral home. “We’re really broken up. I went in there and cried.”
“We all know his wife, who’s very involved with our lives as well, but we have to keep our distance.”
The department said goodbye to the 23-year veteran amid a pandemic that has changed nearly all aspects of life in NYC.
But Maggio saw the irony in the social-distancing guidelines.
“Jack was a big hugger, so it’s ironic that we have to keep our distance. We have to wear our masks and gloves.”
“We’re definitely going to have a party — and Jack would have wanted a party — when this is all over with,” he added.
“We’ll hug each other and be close.”
The 50-year-old Polimeni worked since 2006 in Manhattan’s Warrant Division, where he was affectionately nicknamed “Rhino” for his stocky build and his ability to take down Gotham’s most violent parole absconders.
Polimeni is one of six uniformed members of the NYPD who have been claimed by the virus. A total of 21 civilian employees have also died after contracting COVID-19.
Detectives’ Endowment Association president Paul DiGiacomo said Friday’s services weren’t typical, but the group wanted to give the detective “some kind of honor.”
“Normally there would be thousands of uniformed members of the police department here to honor his dedication and to honor his line-of-duty death,” DiGiacomo said.
“But because of the circumstances, it’s very minimal today. We’re just trying to do our best to give some sort of honor to him and to keep the family somewhat consoled.”