Holly MatkinNew York, NY – Yonkers Police Department (YPD) Detective Del Caraballo died on Feb. 19 after suffering a medical emergency while driving, resulting in a crash.
Police said the 48-year-old detective was driving in the area of Eighth Avenue and West 29th Street when the “fatal medical event” occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m., the New York Post reported.
Det. Caraballo’s vehicle then sideswiped a second car, according to investigators.
He was rushed to Lenox Health Greenwich Village, where he was pronounced dead, according to his obituary.
The YPD announced Det. Caraballo’s death in a press release the next day.
“It is with profound sadness the Yonkers Police reports that a member of the Department unexpectedly and tragically passed away yesterday afternoon,” the department said. “Preliminary indications are that he experienced a fatal medical event while operating a motor vehicle in New York City.”
Det. Caraballo served the YPD for 16 years.
“Our city is mourning a tragedy,” Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in the agency’s press release. “This detective was known and loved by many in the law enforcement community. He dedicated himself to our department and committed himself to protecting and serving this great city. May his family be comforted and embraced by all of our sympathy and support.”
The Manhattan native grew up in the Bronx and earned a degree in criminal justice from Iona College, according to his obituary.
Det. Caraballo joined the NYPD in 1997 and served there for 10 years before joining the YPD.
He worked alongside his father-in-law and brother-in-law during his years of service at the YPD and was assigned to the DEA Task Force at the time of his death.
“Once again our hearts are broken at the loss of one of our finest,” Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said in the YPD’s press release. “We pray for his family and our brothers and sisters in blue; his commitment to his family and the City of Yonkers will serve as his legacy. God Bless the Yonkers Police Department.”
Det. Caraballo leaves behind his wife, Maureen, and his children, Tyler, Justin, and Chloe, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his mother, brother, in-laws, nephews, nieces, grand-nieces, and grand-nephew.
A fundraising page established to help his family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $42,000 so far.
Det. Caraballo was laid to rest on Feb. 23.
Statement from @MayorMikeSpano| 🙏Detective Del Caraballo pic.twitter.com/JjujhNAlQs
— cityofyonkers (@CityofYonkers) February 23, 2023
Yonkers police detective ,Del Caraballo, suddenly passed away after he experienced a "fatal medical event " while driving.
Apparently he suffered a heart attack
RIP 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏#diedsuddenly pic.twitter.com/WYlD4iDf1E— TruthOnly (@panajeck) February 23, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Yonkers Police Department Detective Del Caraballo, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
