County Executive Mangano Teams Up With David Lerner Associates To Donate To Family Of Fallen Police Officer

$10,000 Donation to Benefit the Geoffrey Breitkopf Memorial Fund

Mineola, N.Y. - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today joined David Lerner, Founder and CEO of David Lerner Associates, and Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker to present a donation to the Nassau Police Benevolent Association (PBA) representing the family of fallen officer Geoffrey J. Breitkopf. Breitkopf, a Nassau County Police Officer, was tragically killed in the line of duty in Massapequa Park on March 12, 2011. He leaves behind his wife, Paula, and two young boys, Conor and Owen.

David Lerner Associates, along with the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC), will continue to efforts to raise funds for Long Island police officers and their families through the 20th Annual David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run, held on Thursday, June 9 at the Fieldhouse at Eisenhower Park.

“I thank David Lerner Associates for their generosity in helping the Breitkopf family during this very difficult time,” said County Executive Mangano. “My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Nassau County Police Officer Geoffrey J. Breitkopf of the elite Bureau of Special Operations, who lost his life in the line of duty on March 12, 2011. Police Officer Breitkopf’s dedication to keeping Nassau County safe deserves the highest recognition and sincere gratitude. Officer Breitkopf was a highly decorated member of the Nassau County Police Department who joined in 1998 and served as an exemplary police officer and model citizen. Officer Breitkopf’s sacrifice will never be forgotten, and this fund will help to make sure his loved ones are taken care of,” said County Executive Mangano.

“David Lerner Associates is deeply saddened by this family’s loss and we hope this donation eases some of their suffering,” explained David Lerner. “Every year, David Lerner Associates sponsors the Long Island Police Appreciation Run. The run generates financial support for the Police Crisis Fund, which was designed to aid officers’ families, like Officer Breitkopf’s.”

The intent of today’s donation is to help support The Geoffrey Breitkopf Memorial Fund, which is designed to assist Breitkopf’s sons. Nassau County politicians, David Lerner Associates and the GLIRC recognize the importance of coming to the aid of local families of law force enforcement officers in emergency situations.

"My heart goes out to Officer Breitkopf's family. Sadly, I stand in those same shoes having lost my husband almost 12 years ago. I know that nothing anyone can do will ease the family's pain and sadness," said Legislator Rose Walker. "I just hope that in some small way, this donation can help Mrs. Breitkopf ease some of the financial burden ahead of her. I thank David Lerner and the Greater Long Island Running Club for sponsoring the Police Appreciation Run and for continuing to gather support for the Police Crisis Fund."

“Ascitizens of Long Island, weall owe a tremendous debt to the outstanding men and women who make up Long Island’s police forces,” added Greater Long Island Running Club president Mike Polansky. “They truly are ‘Long Island’s Finest,’ and it is of continuing importance to the Greater Long Island Running Club and to me personally to join with my friend David and all the generous folks at David Lerner Associates in showing our gratitude to our law enforcement officers through the annual run and the Fund that it supports.”

For more information, please call (516) 349-7646 or register online at www.glirc.org. To make a donation to the Police Crisis Fund, send checks payable to the “GLIRC Police Crisis Fund” at the following address: The Greater Long Island Running Club, 101 Dupont Street, Suite 24, Plainview, NY 11803.

PHOTO: County Executive Mangano is joined by David Lerner of David Lerner Associates; Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter; Mike Polansky of the Greater Long Island Running Club; James Carver, President of the Nassau County PBA; and members of the Nassau County Police Department to present a check totaling $10,000 in donations from David Lerner Associates and the Greater Long Island Running Club to the Geoffrey Breitkopf Memorial Fund.