Officer Killed in Tragic Crash Honored In Washingtonville With Massive Police Presence, Honors & Motorcade

By Edie Johnson

Executive Editor

Police Escort for Officer Jose Santiago

Officer Jose Santiago with his Wife Blanca

The Santiago Funeral at St. Mary's Church

Village of Washingtonville - It is a very special kind of sorrow when a local Police Department loses one of their own.  In this small village most people by necessity went about their daily chores, but looking a little closer and talking to residents you could see that the heart of this tight-knit Village was in mourning, for hometown Officer Jose Santiago. His life abruptly ended on the evening of March 22, not in a violent police event, but a simple evening out to visit grandchildren with his wife Blanca. The driver of a van  hit their vehicle head-on in Mamakating after crossing the median on Route 17 when he fell asleep at the wheel and crossed the median. Santiago was only 65 years old.

At today's funeral, St. Mary's Church was filled with both family, friends and of a large contingent of police officers, including some from as far as Yonkers. His son, also a police officer, brought 20 fellow Poughkeepsie officers with him. Santiago, a motorcycle and car buff, would be delighted that two of the escort groups included officers on motorcycles. Santiago had served 20 years with NYPD and another 20 as a part-time officer after moving to Washingtonville in 1997. After moving he worked for Orange County as well as several local departments including Montgomery, Highland Falls and his hometown department in Washingtonville.

Drivers going West were asked to turn right onto North Street to make room for the procession when it arrived.

NYPD

Today’s funeral for Officer Santiago at St. Mary’s Church was well attended and exceptionally well planned. By 9:30 am. NYPD Officer Highway Vehicles were already stationed at the Village’s entrances monitoring traffic, as were Washingtonville Police at the Main Street & Routes. 94/208 Intersection and North Street.

A stunning white wreath was presented

to the Washingtonville Police Department

At 12:30 an entourage of motorcycles and long procession of officers in vehicles from nearly a dozen municipalities including City of Poughkeepsie, Town of Blooming Grove, City of Yonkers, Village of Highland Falls, Village of Tuxedo Park and Town of Haverstraw passed slowly and stopped briefly at the Washingtonville Police Department and presented a stunning white wreath which was hung in front of Washingtonville PD's building which was draped with a purple mourning bunting. Their American Flag drove the situation home flying at half mast. The wreath was accompanied by words from the procession's lead officer, honoring Officer Santiago’s many years of service and dedication. The motorcade then proceeded to bring the Santiago family home.

The depth of the police brotherhood is bonded by the experiences of sharing many of the greatest horrors and joys of their lives …times that they have risked their lives together, witnessed emergency births and deaths, and saved and lost lives of those they live their lives to protect. At times like this that spirit of brotherhood is all encompassing. It’s a very deep and special kind of personal and community bond. And so there are the happy memories, pride and and extraordinary blessings along with the sorrow, the memory of which will stay throughout these officers' lives, as well as the memories of those they serve in the public. It fills an important professional function as well, to make sure that new officers see and understand  what “the Brotherhood” means.

Washingtonville has one of, if not the highest number of first responders in New York State, and Officer Jose Santiago, after working locally for 20 years, was well known and loved.  Some of the attending fellow officers likely served with him in NYPD. Others probably worked side by side with him to save lives during Hurricane Irene.

Sometimes the biggest helpers in an event like this are the ones quietly working hard in the background. I am told that while the Town of Blooming Grove Police Department did not have a huge presence, they were a tremendous help in making it happen and having everything run smoothly. The two departments are always very supportive of each others' activities

County Executive, Steve Neuhaus, was at Garnet Hospital following the accident. He said that he had the pleasure of knowing Officer Santiago for 20 years and that he was truly impressed with the compassion and skill shown by the hospital staff and his emergency staff during the critical hours after the accident in which Blanca Santiago sustained serious injuries that will take many months to heal, along with the crushing blow of losing her husband Jose who had been pronounced dead at the scene.

The Washingtonville community has started a Go Fund Me to help with the financial burden.

Despite the tremendously sad news surrounding a life well-lived but ended too soon, every photo of Jose Santiago shows the same thing. His smile says it all: Family, Brotherhood, Community, Joy of life.

Some years ago, enjoying one of his favorite pastimes

End of Duty. Rest in Peace Officer Jose Santiago