NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack mourned at emotional LI wake week after horrific nail salon crash
Teary-eyed loved ones mourned NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack at her wake on Friday — one week after she and three other people were killed when a suspected drunk driver barreled into a Long Island nail salon.
Scores of fellow police officers, as well as NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and Mayor Eric Adams, gathered at New Hyde Park Funeral Home to pay their respects to the 30-year-old officer who was getting her nails done at a Deer Park salon on June 28 when the tragedy unfolded.
“She not only believed in the American dream and pursued that dream, but she wanted to make our city safe so others could pursue that same dream,” Adams said during his visit, according to Newsday.
Rennhack, who was recently married to a fellow cop, was remembered for her dedication to the job, compassion and bright demeanor.
“Emilia was a wonderful person and had a smile for everybody. We miss her from the 102 (Precinct),” said Diana Conde, who was a civilian community assistant at the same precinct, per Newsday.
“She was amazing. It’s sad she had to leave us. Everything she did was incredible. She made sure things get done.”
Another mourner, Kasia Jankowski, recalled the Deer Park resident as a “happy, smiling girl.”
Others killed at Hawaii Nail & Spa were Jiancai Chen, 37, of Bayside, Queens; Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing, Queens; and Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing, Queens, officials have said. Chen was the store’s owner.
Nearly ten other people were injured in the crash.
Alleged drunk driver Steven Schwally, 64, slammed his Chevrolet Traverse through the salon’s front window, Suffolk County police have said. He allegedly admitted to investigators he downed 18 beers the night before the crash.
He’s facing intoxicated driving charges in the deadly crash, but more serious charges are expected to be brought.
“It’s a sad day for all law enforcement,” Caban said, according to CBS 2.
“Emilia was one of our beloved officers in the 102 Precinct. She did domestic violence at the precinct, and she went above and beyond for the community, for everyone. She’s gonna be missed.”
Rennhack leaves behind her husband, Det. Carl Rennhack, who met his spouse while on the job. They wed last year.
“It’s just a horrible tragedy and a lot of the people inside were probably at their wedding last August. It just doesn’t make sense,” Joe Simon of Bay Shore told Newsday.
“You could tell these two kids were so in love and really excited to get married. This situation is just heart wrenching.”
Rennhack’s funeral is set for Saturday.
