Suffolk’s prime cop joined greater than 200 mourners at a packed vigil Monday night time, the place he brushed again tears and issued a heartfelt apology for failing to cease the Christmas slaying of beloved Lengthy Island CVS employee Edeedson Cine.
Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina stood in entrance of the large crowd gathered for Cine’s emotional candlelight vigil at Lindenhurst Village Sq. on Monday night time and tearfully advised the 23-year-old’s household he was sorry.
“It’s my job to ensure that issues like this don’t occur,” Catalina stated, his voice dripping with emotion.
“I need to supply my apologies to the household,” he added earlier than giving a protracted hug to Cine’s father.
Catalina vowed to work alongside Suffolk DA Ray Tierney to make sure John Pilaccio — the 43-year-old “monster” accused within the horrific stabbing Cine — will “spend the remainder of his life in jail.”
Pilaccio allegedly entered the CVS simply earlier than 7 p.m. and demanded cash from Cine, who refused earlier than he was knifed within the chest, prosecutors stated in court docket. Cine labored the vacation shift so a coworker might spend the time with their household, workers on the retailer advised The Put up.
His dad, who credited his sturdy religion in God for having the ability to persevere by means of the tragedy, stated he harbors no hate towards Pilaccio — and forgives him.
“Love conquers all,” Cine Sr. stated, including that he’s so pleased with the person his son was and isn’t solely grieving him as an individual, however what he had but to turn out to be.
Family members, buddies and even those that solely knew Cine Jr. in passing all attested to the selfless individual he was.
“He didn’t deserve not one little bit of this,” an emotional lady who solely recognized herself because the sufferer’s “finest pal” advised the group, holding a body plastered with pictures of the pair collectively.
Daniel, 12, recalled heading into the CVS on a sizzling day over the summer time to get a Gatorade — solely to comprehend on the counter that he didn’t come up with the money for.
Fortunately for him, Cine Jr. — referred to as Eddy — was on the counter and advised the center schooler he would hook it up, and paid the distinction out of his personal pocket for the boy, Daniel stated.
“I at all times remembered him due to that,” he added.
“Eddy was a very good man, I want there have been extra individuals like him on the planet.”
