Loved ones gather to remember Nassau Police Detective Artie Lopez

Well, it was 14 years ago today that a Nassau detective was shot and killed in the line of duty. And today, his family, friends and brothers and sisters in blue honored his service and sacrifice. News 12's Cecilia Dowd attended the memorial ceremony. I'm very proud of my son, very, very proud of my son. Yes, that's my baby. Still not a day goes by, you know, where we don't talk about him, you know, and remember the great person that he was. Nassau County Police Detective Artie Lopez was murdered in the line of duty 14 years ago. The young officer posthumously promoted to detective was shot to death when approaching a man who authorities said had fled the scene of an accident. Detective Lopez's family and those who may as well be family, his brothers in blue, honor Artie's memory every year on this day. They have a lot of sons now, a lot of family. Artie's mom attended her son's graveside memorial. She said she's grateful to the police department, which has not forgotten her or her family. Everybody should try to live up to the Artie Lopez standard, his close friend, retired Nassau police officer Keith Blum told me, to be willing to serve all day long and always wanting to help people. He was born to do what we did, you know, to serve, would never go past an individual that needed help, always wanted to help, you know, and his life was just cut way, way too short for someone of his drive. Reporting from Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, Cecilia Dowd, News 12.