Members of the Suffolk County Police Department are mourning the loss of active member Police Officer Vincent Pelliccio, who died in a motor vehicle crash on November 8.
Pelliccio started his professional career as a teacher, but a dream to follow in his retired NYPD detective father's footsteps won out when he joined the Suffolk County Police Department on December 15, 2014. Upon graduating the Police Academy, he was assigned to the Third Precinct as a uniformed patrol officer and became a plain clothes officer in the Third Precinct Gang Task Force in March 2019. Pelliccio also served his fellow law enforcement officers as a Police Benevolent Association delegate.
In 2019, Pelliccio was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Award, which recognizes members of service who have overcome serious injury, disease or disability and have returned to work, for overcoming his battle with testicular cancer. Diagnosed in September 2017 at age 26, he went through both radiation and chemotherapy treatments, fighting to get back to health to return to work. Even when he was too sick to report for duty, he was constantly in contact with his colleagues and friends at the SCPD, expressing his desire to help and return to his sector in Central Islip. He returned to full duty in March 2018.
"Officer Pelliccio was a dedicated member of the Third Precinct who overcame personal adversity to continue serving the people of Suffolk County," Third Precinct Inspector John Rowan said. "His perseverance and unwavering commitment to his calling as a police officer is inspirational. Vinny will be missed but not forgotten by this command."
In addition to a departmental recognition, Pelliccio was named Cop of the Month in April 2020 with Police Officer Anthony Devincenzo for the arrest of a violent gang member and drug dealer in September 2019. While monitoring a known drug and gang location in North Bay Shore, the officers witnessed the gang member in front of a business and found marijuana on the sidewalk near where he was. Upon approaching the subject, he fled officers into a hair salon with multiple civilians. During a violent struggle, Pelliccio deployed his Taser and the subject was taken into custody, where he was found to be in possession of multiple weapons and narcotics.
"Vinny was an extremely dedicated young man who loved being a police officer and was always eager to perform and excel in his law enforcement duties," Third Precinct Sergeant Philip Dluginski said. "He fully embraced the police culture and loved spending time with his blue family both during and outside of work. He will be sorely missed by all his friends and co-workers, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fiancée at this time."
Pelliccio, 30, from Ronkonkoma, is survived by his parents, Tony and Angela, his sister, Niki, and his fiancée, Danielle Trotta. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.
"I am devastated to hear about the passing of Third Precinct Gang Task Force Officer Vincent Pelliccio," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. "I had the pleasure of meeting Officer Pelliccio when he was honored for his outstanding work in keeping our communities safe. An exemplary law enforcement professional and relentless fighter who returned to work full duty after winning a battle with cancer, Officer Pelliccio's tragic passing has shaken our entire police family. My thoughts and prayers are with his fiancée and his family during this incredibly difficult time."
"Police Officer Vincent Pelliccio was an exemplary and distinguished member of the Suffolk County Police Department whose dedication to his family, friends, and the residents of Suffolk County, was an inspiration for others throughout his years of service," Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron said. "His loss is felt by everyone in the SCPD family, and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends."