Fallen Officers, First Responders Honored At Suffolk Heroes Breakfast

HUNTINGTON, NY — First responders, law enforcement officers and community advocates were honored at the fifth annual Suffolk County Heroes Breakfast, hosted by Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy at Oheka Castle on June 26.

The breakfast was first created to honor health care workers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy’s office said. It has since expanded to recognize first responders, including police officers, firefighters and EMTs.

The ceremony opened with Charlie Tritto, historian from VFW Post 1244, leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Bill Minson, known for his work supporting better mental health treatment for 9/11 first responders, then delivered the invocation. Liam Lyons, of the Suffolk County Police Department Pipes and Drums, performed “God Bless America.”

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr., who was a Suffolk County Heroes Breakfast award recipient in 2022, also spoke about the importance of the recognition and what events like it mean to the law enforcement community.

Four Jacob’s Light Humanitarian Awards were presented during the ceremony.

The award was created by Diane Kenney, the mother of Specialist Jacob Fletcher, who was known for asking his mother to send extra care packages and letters of support to fellow soldiers while they were deployed overseas. After Fletcher was killed overseas, Kenney continued sending care packages and letters, a mission that grew into the Jacob’s Light Foundation.

The first award recipient was Trypheny Collymore Johnson, who was recognized as an advocate for people without a voice. Hubert Johnson, an event co-planner, described her as “an example of what it could mean to be a beacon of light for those in need.”

Patricia Mullen, Northeast Region Trustee for Concerns of Police Survivors, was also honored. The organization supports family members and co-workers affected by line-of-duty deaths involving law enforcement officers.

Mullen became involved with the organization after the death of her husband, Stephen Mullen, a Nassau County police officer who responded to New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks. Stephen Mullen died in 2018 from a 9/11-related cancer, Kennedy’s office said.

NYPD Officer Didarul Islam was also honored. Islam was killed last summer in a mass shooting in New York City. Kennedy’s office remembered him as a hard-working officer, devoted son, husband, father, devout Muslim and pillar of his community.

Kennedy described Islam as “a person you would be lucky to call your neighbor.”

The fourth recipient was Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, who served nearly a decade in the department’s Fifth Precinct before her life was cut short earlier this year. Espinosa was remembered as a dedicated community member, neighbor, law enforcement officer, wife and mother.

The award was accepted by Espinosa’s husband, Francisco Malaga, and their daughter, Mia.

“There’s nothing more than you can give in the line of service than your life,” Kennedy said. “It’s important for officials to hold these ceremonies because recognition keeps their spirits alive.”