Colleague And Friend Of Fallen Officer Lorenzo Speaks Out
By Jericka Duncan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- "We became really, really good friends,' said Lt. Bill Lynch, as he wiped away tears.
Lt. Lynch talked about fallen officer Brian Lorenzo in front of the Highway Patrol office on East Erie Avenue.
"This hurts me so bad that he's gone," said Lynch. "You don't know how many escorts he drove beside me. We used to ride all the time together, all the time."
Lt. Lynch was Lorenzo's commanding highway patrol officer for seven years. One of the many ways Philadelphia police are honoring the Lorenzo this week is by wearing black stripes across their badges. Lt Lynch shared with Eyewitness News his last conversation with his colleague and friend.
"I was one of the last ones to see him," recalls Lynch. "The last thing I said to him was, 'Be careful going home,' cause I knew he was on his wheel."
The wheel Lynch is referring to is the motorcycle officer Lorenzo rode home. While driving on Interstate 95 near Cottman Avenue on Sunday morning, police say 47-year-old John Leck, Jr. drove the wrong way and hit Officer Lorenzo head-on with his 2010 Audi.
On Tuesday morning, Leck was arraigned from his hospital bed. State police, who are handling the investigation, charged Leck with Third Degree Murder, Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, Aggravated Assault While DUI and other related offenses.
In honor of Officer Lorenzo, Governor Tom Corbett ordered all Pennsylvania flags in the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities in Philadelphia County to fly at half-staff starting Wednesday, July 11. The order will remain in effect until sundown on Friday, July 13, the date of Officer Lorenzo's funeral.
