Paying Their Respects

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BLUE POINT – Thousands of police officers from across the tri-state area came to Blue Point Thursday to remember Suffolk County Police Officer Glen Ciano, killed in the line of duty early Sunday morning.

Police say Police Officer Glen Ciano was enroute to assist another officer around 4:15 a.m Sunday. At the intersection of Vanderbilt Motor Parkway and Commack Road in Commack Officer Ciano's vehicle was involved in a crash with a 2007 Dodge Magnun.

Ciano, 45, was a 22-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department. He worked out of the county's Second Precinct.

Officers in full dress uniforms could been seen for as far as the eye could see outside Our Lady of Snow Roman Catholic Church in Blue Point Thursday morning. Escorted by police cruisers, motorcycles and helicopters from numerous agencies, including the NYPD, Westchester County and Nassau County police, the herse carrying Officer Ciano arrived at the church, followed by limos and buses carrying close friends and family.

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A private funeral mass was held for about 40 minutes before Officer Ciano's casket was brought back out of the church, receiving one final salute from thousands of officers lining the streets. Officers traveled from as far away as Maryland to come and pay their respects.

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Jose Borbon, 23, of 178 Morton Blvd, was arrested and charged with DWI following Sunday morning's crash.

Reports indicate the officer’s vehicle spun around from the force of the crash. The vehicle came to rest after striking a traffic pole and bursting into flames. Witnesses say the fire started and spread quickly and rescue efforts were impossible.

Borbon was allegedly driving drunk early Sunday morning in Commack when the crash took place. Originally arrested on DWI charges, he may face homicide charges, according to prosecutors.

In court Monday, Borbon’s bail was set at $75,000. Prosecutor John Collins, who had asked the judge to set the bail at $1 million, told Newsday, “He could well be facing a homicide charge at some point in the future.”

Borbon pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated during his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip Monday. The courtroom was packed with uniformed officers.

Court records indicate Borbon has a history of DWI charges. On January 4, Borbon was arrested in Nassau County for DWI, holding more than one license, criminal possession of a weapon, not signaling, driving without a seat belt and failure to obey a traffic device, according to Newsday. Nassau County police say that case is pending. He is set to appear in court in April on those charges.

Suffolk and Nassau police were uncertain whether he had a lawyer. A message left with his family was not immediately returned.

Newsday also reports Borbon held a D-class “conditional” license, which allows drivers to only drive to specific locations such as to and from work. Borbon is believed to be participating in the state’s Drinking Driver rehabilitation program.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicle records obtained by the newspaper indicate Borbon was involved in four separate accidents in 2006 and had his license suspended in 2007.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the officer killed in this terrible crash,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. “This officer made the ultimate sacrifice protecting and serving the people of Suffolk County.”

“The Suffolk County Police Department is mourning the loss of one of our own,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer. “It’s a sad reminder of the dangers police officers face each and every day.”