Correction officers remembered at ceremony in Nassau
More than 35 years later, the pain remains fresh for Chuck Coutieri of Hicksville.
On Dec. 12, 1986, Coutieri's father-in-law, Nassau Correction Officer George Klimpel, was transporting prisoners from an upstate prison when his vehicle slid on an icy bridge and was struck by a sand truck 30 miles east of Buffalo.
Klimpel, a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, and Nassau Correction Officer Maureen Callanan were killed instantly.
On Thursday, county lawmakers, law enforcement, union leaders and family members gathered at a granite memorial at the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow to remember correction officers who died either in the line of duty or from other causes, including COVID-19, while serving on the job.
Coutieri said the service "means keeping the memory of [Klimpel] alive."
Family members said the ceremony, held annually during National Correction Officers Week, was an emotional but healing experience.
The names of the deceased correction officers were read while attendees were given blue carnations to place by the names of their loved ones as "Taps" was played by the Nassau Police Emerald Society Pipe Band.
Family members attend a memorial service for fallen correction officers whose names are on the Wall of Honor at the Nassau County Correctional Facility in East Meadow on Thursday. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Carol McTigue, of Lynbrook, said she returned to the memorial each year to remember her son Christopher McTigue, who died six years ago.
"Even though some people consider it a day of mourning, it's an uplifting day where we remember not only Chris but the people he worked with," she said.
More than 800 correction officers nationwide have died in the line of duty in the past 18 months, said Nassau County Sheriff James Dzurenda.
"We want to make sure everyone is safe," Dzurenda said. "We want to make sure that everyone goes home at the end of the day. We want to make sure that their lives and their safety is not going to be jeopardized any time when they are at work."
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called correction officers "unsung heroes" who didn't often receive the credit they deserved.
"We have this day … to remember those who gave their lives serving this county and serving America," Blakeman said.
Coutieri said his father-in-law had a reputation for kindness and generosity.
"On his trips upstate he would bring snacks for the inmates," he said. "Everybody loved him. He had a heart as big as the moon. And if he had $2 in his pocket and somebody came up to him and needed $2 he would give it to him. That's the kind of man he was."
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
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