Family, Friends and Police Say Farewell to Patrick Luca

Smithtown resident and New York City police officer Patrick Luca was laid to rest Wednesday morning, with a mass attended by family, friends and fellow police officers at St. Patrick’s Church.

Luca, 41, who launched his inflatable kayak Friday afternoon at the Kings Park bluff with his five-year old son was after a boater pulled his 5-year-old son Caden, who was wearing a life jacket, out of the water. Luca's body was discovered by a passing boater Saturday afternoon in Smithtown Bay.

A hearse carrying Luca’s flag-draped coffin passed under an American flag, hung between the extended ladders of two fire trucks. Members of the Nassau, Suffolk and New York City police departments stood at attention while bagpipes played as they saluted their fallen brother.

Inspector Martin Morales, Luca's boss in the recruitment office of the NYPD, remembered Luca, a 21-year veteran of the force, as a positive person who was looked to as a role model.

“Patrick had the gift of gab. That is why he excelled as a recruiter,” said Morales. "Many hired there were through his efforts."

He described the mood in the office where Luca worked as saddened.

"It is probably the hardest week in my time with the police department. I thank God that his son was spared," he said.

Father David Regan led the service remembering Luca, praising him as an example for fatherhood. Luca’s baptismal candle sat on the altar.

“There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend,” said Regan and acknowledged the officers at the service for bearing witness for their brother.

Luca's wife wept as officers presented her with the American flag.

Eloise Archibald worked with Luca at the psychological services section of the police department. Though they only worked together for a short time, she said he made a strong impression.

“He was a wonderful person. He loved his job. He was very devoted to his job and took it very seriously.”

She also described Luca as someone who was devoted to his family.

“I know he frequently talked about his wife and children and how much he loved his family. They were the center of his life. His job was important to him but his family was certainly as important, maybe more important.” she said.

One of Luca’s recruits Jennifer Strong, who after being recruited at Green Acres Mall worked with him for four years, recalled a time where the late officer found a creative way to share family photos with his coworkers.

“In his [son’s] first year, he would put all his pictures on all the computers in the office, even if it wasn’t his computer. We would just go on the computer and see pictures of his family,” she said.

Kevin Strong, who worked in recruitment with Luca for roughly 10 years, said family was paramount to everything for Luca.

“We would have overtime detail and they’d ask him if he wanted it and he’d say no, he has to go home to his family and spend time with them. He was always out for his family,” he said.