‘LI Pizza Strong’ Raises $188K For Fallen NCPD Officer Espinosa’s Family

LONG ISLAND, NY — Francisco and Mia Malaga, the husband and daughter of fallen Nassau County police officer Patricia Espinosa, received a massive show of charitable support Friday, as the organizers behind an ‘LI Pizza Strong’ fundraiser presented them with a check for $188,000.

Raised through a Feb. 25 fundraiser, organizers said there were 33,223 pizza pies sold across 311 pizzerias. The fundraiser came together after Espinosa died tragically after her car was struck by a driver who prosecutors say was intoxicated. In the immediate aftermath of Espinosa’s death, support poured in from throughout the law enforcement community while the driver involved in the crash was arrested and charged.

One of the three organizers of Long Island Pizza Strong, Alyssa Guidice of Hicksville, said the initiative began in September 2023 and this Feb. 2025 fundraiser has raised the most they have seen yet.

“The way this community showed up for such an amazing cause truly means everything to us,” Guidice said.

She added that the community’s support for the Espinosa family has been both powerful and emotional.

“It’s difficult to put into words because this is never something we want to do, it means something truly tragic has happened,” she said. “There’s a mix of emotions: we’re incredibly proud and grateful, but also deeply saddened that we had to come together under these circumstances for someone so special.”

The money raised will support a college fund and allow the family to give back to other charities that are meaningful to them, Guidice said. She thanked all those who ordered pizzas, purchased shirts, and made additional donations to support the Espinosa family.

“There are no words to fully express our gratitude,” she said. “And a special thank you to the pizzerias who participated, you are the backbone of this fundraiser. We are beyond appreciative of every single person who contributed. None of this would be possible without you.”

In the leadup to the fundraiser, members of those pizzerias across Long Island told Patch the decision to participate was a no-brainer.

"It’s truly not about competition," Lauren Maslov, owner of Pietro’s of East Meadow, said. "It’s about everyone working toward the same goal of raising as much money as possible for an important cause. Moments like this remind us that at the end of the day, we’re all neighbors first. I only wish even more pizzerias would join in, because the impact we can make together is incredible."

In a ceremonial presentation Friday, the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association said Espinosa’s “service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”