Senator Martins’ Legislation Honoring Fallen Nassau County Police Officer Signed by Governor

New Law Designates Section of the Cross Island Parkway in Honor of Police Officer Arthur Lopez

     Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) announced that legislation he sponsored in memory of Nassau County Police Officer Arthur Lopez, who was killed in the line of duty, has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

     “Heroes like Arthur Lopez, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, must never be forgotten. This is a fitting tribute that will help ensure he is always remembered by the communities he gave his life to protect. I thank my colleagues in the legislature and Governor Cuomo for working together to honor Officer Lopez' heroism and service to the residents of Nassau County," said Senator Martins.

     Officer Arthur Lopez was an eight year veteran of the Nassau County Police Department who was assigned to the Department’s elite Emergency Services Unit. In addition to being a Police Officer, he also served as a volunteer fireman and emergency medical technician. On October 23, 2012 he saw what he believed to be a car fleeing the scene of an accident on Northern Boulevard near the Queens border. Officer Lopez and his partner pursued and stopped the vehicle, with Officer Lopez approaching the car to question the suspect, Darrell Fuller. Officer Lopez was shot and killed as he approached Fuller’s vehicle.

     The new law authored by Senator Martins will designate a section of the Cross Island Parkway between exits 26 and 27 as the “Police Officer Arthur Lopez Memorial Bridge.” The area is near the site where Officer Lopez was killed.

     “Arthur Lopez was a dedicated and well respected officer of the Nassau County Police Department. He loved being a police officer and demonstrated this every day he came to work. Every officer who worked with him had the utmost respect for him and he was well liked by all. Arthur was a living definition of what a police officer should be; just ask anyone he came in contact with. This department, his family and friends, as well as the residents of the County of Nassau, suffered a real loss on that fateful day and he will truly be missed by all. The Nassau County PBA would like to personally thank Senator Martins for his hard work in making this law a reality. It will serve as a constant reminder to everyone who Police Officer Arthur Lopez was- a true and dedicated hero. We would also like to thank Governor Cuomo for signing the bill into law and recognizing the importance of this legislation,” said Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President James Carver.