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A Somber Day In The Bronx As The NYPD Says Goodbye To Another Officer
A bitter chill swept through the Bronx on Wednesday as thousands of New York's Finest came to say goodbye to one of their own for the second time in as many weeks. Police officers from around the country joined members of the NYPD at a funeral service for slain Officer Daniel Enchautegui who was gunned down last week after intercepting a break-in at his neighbor's house. Enchautegui's fellow officers from the 40th precinct said that his death was a huge loss for the force. "It's like having the wind knocked out of you. Officer Enchautegui was incredibly valuable, incredibly important to us, and incredibly popular. He was the go-to guy. When you needed something done, Danny got it done," said NYPD Captain John Nicholson. "He had a sense of humor, incredible decency, and it's a terrible loss. It hits my guys hard," he added. Enchautegui was technically off-duty when he was killed, but his death will be classified as "in the line of service" since he was responding to a crime. Mayor Michael Bloomberg posthumously promoted him to detective first grade on Wednesday – the same honor given to fellow fallen officer Dillon Stewart. This is the second funeral for members of the officer's family – his sister died of cancer earlier this year. Hundreds of friends, family and fellow officers attended public viewings for Enchautegui on Monday and Tuesday at the Schuyler Funeral Home in the Bronx. Meanwhile, the two suspects charged in Enchautegui's death have reportedly told police opposing accounts of what happened the night of the shooting. Twenty-nine-year-old actor Lillo Brancato Jr. has been charged with second-degree murder. According to reports, Brancato is telling police the officer clearly identified himself. But 48-year-old Steven Armento, who police say has admitted to firing the lethal shot, said that he did not know the man was a police officer. Armento has been charged with first-and second-degree murder. Investigators say the shootout broke out after the officer confronted the two. The two suspects were reportedly looking for drugs at the time. According to published reports, Brancato and Armento were drinking at a Bronx strip club before breaking into an apartment looking for valium. However, the two men were unaware that the apartment had been completely cleaned out after the owner died in July. Enchautegui was shot in the chest, but he was able to return fire, hitting Armento six times, and Brancato twice. Both are hospitalized in fair condition. Brancato appeared in “A Bronx Tale” with Robert De Niro and had a recurring role on “The Sopranos.” Both suspects each also face weapons and burglary charges.
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