Funeral Arrangements Set For Yonkers Police Sergeant Killed In Crash

YONKERS, NY — Funeral arrangements have been announced for Sergeant Frank Gualdino, the 24-year veteran of the Yonkers Police Department who was killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Thursday.

Yonkers officials said their preliminary investigation suggested the crash was caused by a reckless 16-year-old with a learner's permit driving a sports car. The teenage driver, who police said slid into the unmarked police car and pushed it into a bus on Tuckahoe Road, is hospitalized in intensive care with severe injuries.

Gualdino was a 24-year-veteran of the Yonkers Police Department who was due to retire in August of next year.

"It's a severely sad day for us," Mayor Mike Spano said, speaking about Gualdino's death in the line of duty. "Yonkers is a very close-knit community and yesterday we lost someone who was a friend, a sergeant, a decorated officer, a good family man, head of a prestigious unit, somebody that was very, very well respected by the police officers of this department and the people that he served."

SEE ALSO: Parking Restrictions, Street Closed For Sergeant Gualdino Memorial

A native of Yonkers, Frank Daniel Gualdino was born on August 8, 1969 to Tereza and the late Francisco Gualdino, according to his obituary. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers. While working as a supervisor at UPS, he was also receiving a degree in criminal justice from Westchester Community College, a degree he hoped to use to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a cop.

In 1994, he joined the New York City Transit Police Department. At graduation from the Transit Police Academy, he received the sharpshooter award. In 1998, he joined the Yonkers Police Department, fulfilling dream of becoming a public servant for his hometown.

He worked in multiple departments: 3rd Precinct, Traffic Court, and, after being promoted to Sergeant, he joined the Traffic/Motorcycle Unit. As a Sergeant, his duties consisted of, but were not limited to, organizing movie/tv shoots, scouting locations for scenes, as well as overseeing motorcycle escorts and processions.

"Frank lived his life committed to a career, city, and family he loved and received astounding love in return," Gualdino's obituary recounts. "The deep connections he forged on the job were an integral part of his life, as well as that of his family. Frank exuded love for his family in innumerable ways, one being a loyal supporter of his daughter’s college football team, the Holy Cross Crusaders!"

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Whalen and Ball Funeral Home, located at 168 Park Ave. in Yonkers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, located at 110 Shonnard Place in Yonkers.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Elizabeth Seton Foundation in Yonkers here.

Final disposition will be private.

SEE ALSO:

• Police ID Officer Killed In Westchester Crash, Fault Teen Driver
• Yonkers Police Sergeant Dies In Crash With BMW, Bus