A New York City Department of Sanitation employee died while working in Queens on Saturday evening, local authorities said.
Gruesome photos from the scene show Richard Errico, a 19-year veteran of the police department, was apparently killed outside the DSNY garage at Precinct 11 and 13 in Douglaston.
Details of what happened were not immediately clear.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch were seen walking together at the scene on Saturday night and confirmed that Errico had died.
“Tonight our thoughts are with Richard's family, friends, coworkers and all who knew and loved him,” Mayor Adams said in a statement, adding that he had met with his relatives.
“Richard has kept our streets and communities safe and clean for over 19 years. We should all pray for Richard and his family,” he added.
Tisch said Errico served the residents of Douglaston, Little Neck and Bayside during his time as one of New York's most powerful police officers.
“He did it with great pride and I ask everyone in New York to pray for his family,” she said.
The Washington Post has reached out to DSNY for additional information about the incident.
