Funeral held for Yonkers Det. Sgt. Frank Gualdino, killed in crash last week

"A dedicated public servant, a loving husband and father, a devoted son and brother, a proud member of the Yonkers Police Department."

It was a loving farewell for a man who may have never realized the impact he made on the lives he touched. 

Frank Gualdino was posthumously promoted to detective sergeant. He was eulogized as a devoted family man and humble public servant. 

"Small in stature, but he carried the love and happiness of a giant, effortlessly," said friend Dennis Mullin. 

Commissioner Christopher Sapienza recalled how, three months ago, Gualdino rushed a boy to the hospital, saving his life. 

"He didn't tell anyone about it. It wasn't until we received a thank you letter from the boy's family that we knew about it," Sapienza said. "It is a perfect example of someone doing the right thing when no one is looking." 

Gualdino was killed Dec. 1 in a wreck caused by a speeding, unlicensed teenage driver. 

The loss is terrible for his Yonkers PD family, and immeasurable for his wife Lisa, son Mark, and daughter Emily. 

"Dad was passionate about everything he did, making every single moment magical. Good nature and love infused everything he did, not only for his family, his work family, and for strangers," Emily Gualdino said. 

A hush fell over the church as Lisa Gualdino paid tribute to her partner of a quarter century. 

"Frank, my love, I want to assure you I will take care of our precious children. We will get through this together, one day at a time. Thank you for all that you were. I will love you and miss you forever, until we meet again," she said. 

Applause filled the church before "Taps" sent Frank Gualdino to his final rest. 

As CBS2's John Dias reported, a line in the program seems to perfectly sum up Gualdino, saying, "Frank lived his life committed to a career, city and family he loved and received astounding love in return."

That love was visible as dozens of police officers on motorcycles made up the motorcade that escorted his casket to the funeral.

It seems if you ask anyone who knew him, the devotion he had for the community he served was felt all over, Dias reported. 

"Frank would do anything for his friends, family, the community, society," family friend Anthony Mazzuca said. 

Those he touched during his 53 years of living wanted to make sure in death he still knew how much he meant to them, showing up in droves for his funeral. 

"He was a man that should be looked up to and honored," Mazzuca added. 

"Frank Gualdino can only be described as one of the warmest, I'll call him joyful, always smiling," said family friend Brian Brokate. 

For the thousands of first responders present, including the NYPD and FDNY, it's a tragedy that hits close to home. 

"We took it hard," Ramapo Sgt. Andres Sanchez said. 

Sanchez and many other out of town officers felt it was important to show up. 

"Sometimes we take life for granted, and it's important to realize how short life can be," he said. 

Gualdino died last week when detectives say a teenager driving a BMW M5 on the Sprain Brook Parkway overpass smashed into his police car at a high rate of speed. 

He is survived by his mother, three brothers, his wife of 28 years and their two children. The police community says it will band together to make sure his family knows they have support.

"Even though Yonkers is a big job, we're all brothers and sisters and we're always with one another," said Matthew Frank, chairman of Wester B.L.U.E. Foundation.

Gualdino was just nine months away from retiring and was posthumously promoted to detective sergeant. Dias was told the Yonkers Police Department hasn't had a line of duty death since 1982.

CBS News New York will stream coverage of the funeral starting at 11 a.m.

You can watch by downloading the CBS News app on any device or smart tv. 

Hit "live" and find us on CBS News New York, or watch on the Pluto TV app, where you can find us on channel 400.

The Yonkers community is devastated by the loss of Det. Sgt. Gualdino, saying he was a true hero who always had a smile on his face and was always ready to help out and protect. 

Born and raised in Yonkers, the 53-year-old sergeant will be laid to rest in his hometown. 

"Back in the parish he grew up. I think it's a great thing," Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza told CBS2.

Tuesday at Gualdino's wake, mourners gathered to pay their respects. Outside, two firetrucks held a massive American flag. 

Many motorcycles could also be seen parked in front of the funeral home. Gualdino was a member of the motorcycle unit. 

The Yonkers police commissioner said the tragic loss isn't just being felt in New York. 

"I am getting calls and emails, letters of condolences from all over the country right now," Sapienza said. 

Police said last week a teenager driving a BMW M5 on the Sprain Brook Parkway overpass smashed into Gualdino's squad car at a high rate of speed, killing him.

Dashcam video shows the $150,000 sports car recklessly skidding into oncoming traffic. 

"It's tragic," said Yonkers resident Justin Tubiolo. "We all share that loss, and our condolences go out to the family."

Gualdino is survived by his mother, three brothers, wife and two children. 

"Family man, dedicated to both his job and his family," retired Officer Bill Celestino said. 

Friends say the police community will band together to give the family as much support as they need, but know the tragedy has left a hole in their hearts that can never be mended. 

"The only thing more important to him than his job was his family," said Celestino.