New Yorkers transformed the Long Island nail salon where a newlywed NYPD officer and three others were shot and killed on Friday into a community memorial as new details emerged about the suspected drunk driver held responsible for their senseless deaths.
Steven Schwary, 74, had already been convicted of at least one DUI count, but after his March 25, 2013, arrest he pleaded guilty and received a lighter sentence of three years probation.
He was also arrested in 2001, but details of that case were not immediately available.
Meanwhile, local residents and strangers flocked to Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park as Schwalli allegedly crashed into the building, leaving a trail of deadly gunfire.
Rows of flowers and candles were piled outside the boarded-up storefront on Sunday in memory of off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Renhack and the three people killed in the tragic afternoon crash — Jiankai Chen, 37, Yang Xu, 41, and Meiji Zhang, 50.
Police said Schwarie crashed his SUV into a small store, injuring nine people, including a 12-year-old girl.
He has been charged with drunk driving and is expected to face other charges.
Sources said Lenhack, 30, who married fellow NYPD officer Carl Lenhack in September, was getting her nails done in preparation for a friend’s wedding that evening.
“Emilia was a great officer and an even better person,” one officer told The Post. “She always went out of her way to help officers and the public she encountered.”
“The word ‘no’ was not in her vocabulary,” the officer said.
Born Emilia Kowalczyk, the young officer graduated from International High School in Prospect Heights and went on to John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she played soccer for the school’s Bloodhound sports team.
She joined New York’s Finest in 2018 and was most recently assigned to the 102nd Precinct in Queens.
She married Detective Carl Lenhack on September 7 in Baiting Hollow, Long Island.
On Friday, around 4:30 p.m., Lenhack was at a nail salon on Grand Boulevard when an SUV crashed into the business, killing or seriously injuring more than a dozen customers and employees.
Sources said Schwarie was driving aggressively and yelling from the driver’s seat prior to the crash.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Officer Len Hack. His life was taken far too soon,” the NYPD commissioner said. Edward Cabán said in X.
“We offer our support to Emilia’s family, friends and coworkers during this extremely difficult time,” Cabán wrote. “Please keep our officer and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
In a separate post, Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD inspector, also offered his condolences.
“Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Officer Emilia Lenhack, who was killed in a senseless car accident caused by a drunk driver while off duty.” The mayor said.
“No matter the circumstances, it is never easy to receive news of the loss of one of our dedicated public servants,” he said. “Officer Lenhack, rest in peace.”
a A wake is held for the deceased police officer A funeral service will be held Friday at New Hyde Park Funeral Home, Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, followed by a funeral service at noon Saturday at the same funeral home.
