NYPD Set to Honor a Fallen Officer

Thousands of police officers from across the country are expected to pack the New Life Tabernacle Church on Tuesday for the funeral of Officer Dillon Stewart, who was shot in the heart during a car chase.

“You’re not going to be able to keep officers away from this funeral,” said Patrolmen’s Benevolent Assn. spokesman Al O’Leary.

Stewart’s cousins said Thursday they were collecting photographs from various stages of his life, as well as snapshots of his children, wife, mother and sister, which will be used for a video presentation that will play Monday during the viewing of Stewart’s body.

“This is just the beginning,” said one cousin, Odette Flemming. “It’s the first step in a really long journey of healing.”

Lt. Eric Adams of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care said all high-ranking and rank-and-file officers who attended would wear their dress blues to show the highest level of respect for Stewart, 35, who was shot Monday morning in Brooklyn while trying to pull over a car that had run a red light.

“There will be a large display of support for the family to give their loved one hero status,” Adams said. “What happened here strikes at the heart of any police officer who has been on a car chase or has confronted an armed perpetrator.”

Allan Cameron, 27, has pleaded not guilty in the killing of Stewart.

Adams said officers also would be working on creating an education fund for Stewart’s children, Alexis, 6, and Samantha, 5 months.

Stewart, a member of the New York Police Department for five years, was posthumously promoted Wednesday to detective first grade, which carries a higher pension that his family will receive immediately.