RSS 2.0 FeedFebruary 10, 2011, Cover Stories, Wantagh Seaford Citizen
Tragedy strikes the Wantagh community
Highway Patrol Officer Michael Califano, of Wantagh, dies in line of duty.
Nassau police Highway Patrol Officer Michael Califano died after his patrol car was struck from behind by a truck on Friday, February 4, at 10:55 p.m. in Old Westbury.
Mr. Califano, a 12-year veteran of the force, was 44 years old. He lived in Wantagh with his wife Jacqueline and three children Michael, Christopher and Andrew.
According to the Homicide Squad, Officer Califano was in his car when a truck veered off the road and struck him from behind.
The trucker, John Kaley, 25, of New Britain, Connecticut, has been charged with one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, three counts of Assault and Failing to Move Over for an Emergency Vehicle.
Mr. Califano was very involved at the Maria Regina Parish in Seaford. and volunteered for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) in so many ways.
CYO Director Tom Smith told The Citizen that if something needed to be done, Officer Califano would just do it and you never had to ask him anything twice.
“Officer Califano will be greatly misssed and remembered as a great friend and involved father, coaching his two older boys Michael and Christopher actively in basketball and baseball,” he said.
“Nassau County mourns the loss of Police Officer Michael Califano,” said County Executive Edward Mangano in a prepared statement, adding that he knew the Califano family for many years.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Nassau County Police Officer Michael Califano of the Highway Patrol Bureau,” said County Executive Mangano.
“Police Officer Califano’s dedication to keeping Nassau County safe deserves the highest recognition and sincere gratitude. This is a tragic day for the County of Nassau and the Nassau County Police Department.”
All Nassau County buildings flew the Nation’s flag at half-staff in memory of Police Officer Michael Califano.
A service was held today at Maria Regina Roman Catholic Church in Seaford.
– L.S. and C.M.
