1000 Wheels for Phila Officer Brian Lorenzo – Honor & Remember Run
Event Date
07/11/2012
Event Time7:00 pm - 8:30 pm;
Location
Dunkin Donuts
Aramingo & Tioga
Philadelphia, PA
Wdensday July 11, 2012 – Memorial ride for Officer Brian Lorenzo. An extraordinary show of respect to a fallen police officer as over a thousand motorcyclists staged a memorial ride .
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Police Dept. Mourns Loss of Officer Lorenzo
An off-duty police officer died early Sunday morning after his motorcycle was struck by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95.
Investigators say that Police Officer Brian Lorenzo,48, a member of the department’s highway patrol unit, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which took place at approximately 3:15 a.m. at the Cottman Avenue interchange.
The driver was identified as John Leck Jr., 48, of Circle Drive in Levittown. He’s in stable condition at Aria Torresdale Hospital. Leck was charged on Sunday with murder, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.
“It just appears that Officer Lorenzo had absolutely no chance to evade this male and it’s just a sad, sad day for us in the Philadelphia Police Department,” said Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. during an afternoon press conference.
Philadelphia Police say that Officer Lorenzo was a 23-year veteran of the force and is survived by his wife and three children, aged 24, 22, and 4. His younger brother is a Philadelphia Police Officer in the 25th District.
“He would escort the families on his motorcycle, the families of deceased officers and now unfortunately it’s going to be his family that’s going to be escorted,” said Tim Henehan, Bensalem Police Motor Patrol, who also said Lorenzo had a lot of pride in his job.
“Words can’t begin to capture the emotions that we feel right now, we love all our officers obviously, as we know the citizens of Philadelphia do, but it’s just tragic. I mean this particular Officer was well-known by many from the Commissioner, myself and everyone standing behind me, so it makes it even tougher,” said Ross.
An autopsy was performed Sunday morning, and Lorenzo’s body was given a police escort as he was taken from the office of the medical examiner to the Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia.
“He served the community with honor, with distinction and so the guys are going to miss him, they love him, and what I ask the community and anyone that cares is to send out prayers to his family and not just his family but his policing family because we are going to need it,” said Captain Melvin Singleton, Philadelphia Police.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter issued a statement on Sunday, ordering all City flags to be lowered to half-staff for the next 30 days in honor of Lorenzo.
“I ask all Philadelphians to reflect on Brian’s service, to remember him in their prayers and to share their thoughts and condolences with his wife and family and the thousands of Philadelphia police officers who ensure our safety each and every day and who have suffered a terrible loss,” said Mayor Michael Nutter.
Interstate 95 was closed between Bridge Street and Academy Road during the investigation. It was re-opened shortly after noon Sunday.
Here is the preliminary funeral information. A wake for Lorenzo is set to happen Thursday night at the Givnish Funeral Home on Academy Road. The funeral is expected to happen Friday at the Cathedral of Saint Peters and Paul in Center City. Times still aren’t known.
The Fraternal Order of Police has set up a fund to help Officer Lorenzo’s family. Donations can be made at any Police and Fire Federal Credit Union branch in the name of “Brian Lorenzo Memorial Fund.”
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