Police mourn one of their own

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Dozens of police officers filled the rows of a College of Mount Saint Vincent chapel last week to honor Officer Vincent Guidice, who was killed in the line of duty 20 years ago.

Father Thomas Lynch presided over the ceremony, reminding those assembled to keep looking forward as they mourned the passing of their colleague.

“Everything was beautiful,” said Officer Guidice’s mother, Eileen Guidice. “The priest, when he spoke — it was so personal. It really meant a lot. And seeing rows and rows of uniforms and thinking all these men came because of Vinnie, that means a lot.”

Officer Guidice died “while attempting to arrest a male perpetrator at a family dispute,” according to a brochure distributed at CMSV’s Chapel of Immaculate Conception. “A struggle ensued and P.O. Guidice was thrown to the ground, where he severed his left femoral artery on a broken mirror,” the document continued. “He was removed to Jacobi Hospital for emergency surgery and expired hours later.”

Deputy Inspector Terence O’Toole, the commanding officer of the 50th Precinct, gave the final remarks at the May 25 ceremony.

“There are no words to fill the void in our hearts,” he said before urging his men to “please look out for each other.”

Singers performed “God Bless America” during the exit procession. Breakfast followed at the college’s Smith Hall, where many officers paid their respects to Ms. Guidice. 

Retired policeman Sean Sherrock, who was on the same shift as Officer Guidice when he died, came to support his colleague’s mother.

“We’ve been close all through these years. He’s like a second son to me. Paul, my other son, unfortunately had to work today. Having Sean there is like family,” Ms. Guidice said. 

Officer Guidice had been with the 50th Precinct for about three years at the time of his death, according to his mother.

“It’s something he always wanted to do,” Ms. Guidice said of her son’s profession. “He never complained about anything. I was just so proud of him. And I never thought something would happen to him. You know the possibility is there, but I guess you feel it won’t hit home.”

She recalled asking Det. Mindy Ramos, a community affairs officer for the 50th, if Mr. Sherrock could come with her.

“I said, [that way] I’ll have someone to lean on,” Ms. Guidice said. “[Det. Ramos] said, ‘Oh, you’ll have a lot of men to lean on.’”

Vincent Guidice, 50th precinct, NYPD, Alice Guilhamon