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Moving Memorial For Slain Officer In Pelham Bay

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Dec 12, 2005 2:17 am US/Eastern

Moving Memorial For Slain Officer In Pelham Bay

Family And Friends Of Daniel Enchautegui Show Up To Pay Respects

by Brendan Keefe
PELHAM BAY (CBS) ― A lone bagpiper from the murdered officer's precinct sounds notes of sorrow and heroism at the scene of the shootout. The family of Officer Daniel Enchautegui came here flanked by his squad from the 40th Precinct, lighting candles in his memory.

Officer Robert Korn was Enchautegui's partner. They graduated from the academy together.

"I'll never forget him ... never," Korn said.

Officer Enchautegui had just come home when he heard breaking glass -- two burglars were trying to get in to a neighbor's window. He dialed 911, put his NYPD shield around his neck, and came outside with his off-duty weapon -- a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol. But Investigators say one of the burglars fired first, the .357 round hit the officer in the chest. But before he went down, he was able to return six shots, all of which hit the two suspects."

"I wish he was still here," Korn said. "But if he had to go, this is the way... you know. This is the way you know, he caught his killers. He did it. With his last breath, he was able to make that last collar."

"This is our worst nightmare," Enchautegui's sister, Yolanda Rosa, added. "I'm the only one left. I had a sister who died of cancer and now he's gone."

One of the two wounded suspects is actor Lillo Brancato, most famous for his portrayal of a conflicted teen in Robert Deniro's "A Bronx Tale."

Police say Brancato wasn't the shooter, but he's still charged with second-degree murder.

Jennifer De La Cruz worked as a security guard with Enchautegui before he joined the force. She helped him move into the apartment where he was killed.

"Oh my God, it's so overwhelming," she said.

De La Cruz said she'll always hold a special place in her heart for friend.

"My apartment got burglarized here in the Bronx and he would not leave my side afterwards," De La Cruz said. "He will never be forgotten. I love you Enchautegui, always will."

(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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