Bridge being renamed for cop killed on duty

The section of Glen Cove Road that crosses over the Long Island Expressway will be renamed Police Officer Michael J. Califano Memorial Bridge.

Califano, 44, a 12-year veteran of the department, died when his patrol car was hit from behind by a flatbed truck. Police said the truck driver said may have been asleep.

The driver, John Kaley, 25, of Connecticut, was charged with criminally negligent homicide, three counts of assault and a right-of-way violation, said John Byrne, communications director for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Kaley pleaded not guilty to those charges in March and was released on bail. A future court date has not been set, Byrne said.

The bridge that will bear Califano’s name is near the site where the married father of three was killed.

“We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty,” said Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. (R-Merrick), who sponsored the name-change legislation that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced he signed Thursday.

Posted Saturday, August 6, 2011

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