A 'Sea of Blue' Says Good-Bye to Fallen NYPD Officer

Hundreds of family, friends and fellow police officers lined South Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst on March 29 to pay their final respects to NYPD Officer Joseph Pritchard, who lost his life tragically in a Monday morning, March 25, crash on the Long Island Expressway.

A Lindenhurst High School alum and North Babylon resident, Pritchard's parents John and Maryann, his brothers John and Michael, and his sister Lisa were joined by the rest of his family and friends who watched him grow up in Lindenhurst and play football on the fields of the community and of the LHS where he was an all-Suffolk and all-Division I defensive end and running back for the Bulldogs.

A sea of rank-and-file NYPD officers from the Midtown South Precinct where he served joined them to pay their respects, as well.

During a Friday morning blessing at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, a prayer was offered by the priest asking for Pritchard "to be carried safely to Heaven."

The next two readings - one from the Book of Wisdom and one from the First Letter to John - were done with heavy hearts by two people from Pritchard's circle of family and friends.

Both readings underscored Pritchard's early passing at 30 years of age and how he was loved by many.

The eulogy - delivered by one of the three priests who presided, Father John Sureau, Bishop Brennan and Bishop Murphy - offered some comfort to those mourning the loss of Pritchard, a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, football player and officer.

The priest told mourners, "Your loss is our loss, your pain is our pain, your grief is our grief, and your tears are our tears."

When he shared his favorite line from The Wizard of Oz when the Tin Man received his heart and was told, "My friend, you’re not measured by how much you love, but by how much you’re loved," he said the same applied to Pritchard.

"Joseph was loved by many, many people, by his family of blood and his family of blue," he said.

He went on to say while now it's hard to accept, and hard to believe,  Pritchard's time was so short and he'd no longer be with them, they should know they'll "all be reunited in Heaven" - and that he'll be there when they are.

"I'm sure during the past few days there've been many Joseph stories shared," the priest said. "Every time one is told know he's alive and well in your minds and hearts."

He asked for strength to help his family and friends through their grief.

After the homily prayers were asked for his family and all of those closest to him, for "all of those who came and prayed" with them in the past few days at the Lindenhurst Funeral Home where he was waked, and for "all of those who risk their lives for our safety" and "all of the members of the NYPD" - as well as for all of those who've passed before him.

At the end of the service six NYPD officers carried the flag-draped casket down the center aisle followed by the priests, with everyone filing out behind them, pew by pew, to the hymms, The Silent Farewell followed by We Shall Rise Again.

They headed to Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst to lay Pritchard to rest.

Related Coverage:

• Photos: Pritchard Memorial Game Played at the LMS on Sat.
• Joe Pritchard Memorial Football Game Set for Sat. at Lindenhurst MS
• Watch: Officer Pritchard Laid to Rest in Lindenhurst
• A 'Sea of Blue' Says Good-Bye to Fallen NYPD Officer
• Funeral Arrangements Set for Fallen NY Cop 
• Wellwood Ave. Closure Enforced for Fallen NY Officer's Funeral
• Investigation Continues into Death of Lindy Alum & NYPD Cop Killed on LIE 
• NYPD Officer & LHS Alum Killed in Fiery Crash on the LIE

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