A number of mourn dying of NYPD officer Rebecca De Paula in New York – NBC New York

Following the dying of the New York Metropolis police officer within the Dominican Republic throughout a beauty process, Rebecca De Paula’s relations are talking concerning the troublesome time they’re going by way of.

A part of the household traveled with Officer Rebecca De Paula to the Dominican Republic, however Information 4 managed to talk with Elena Santana, who was like a second mom to her.

The truth is, the officer left her canine, Bambi, along with her earlier than leaving, telling her it could solely be for 2 weeks.

“It seems like a light-weight went out,” mentioned the officer’s good friend. “I am devastated; I nonetheless need to sleep with remedy; I can not.”

De Paula died this weekend within the Dominican Republic after present process a beauty surgical procedure process at a clinic in Santo Domingo.

The 31-year-old officer reportedly contracted a bacterial an infection after the beauty surgical procedure, in line with her household.

“I knew she was going to the Dominican Republic, however I did not know she was going to have that process,” Santana instructed Information 4.

De Paula leaves behind three youngsters. She joined the NYPD in January 2015 and served within the forty sixth Precinct within the Bronx, the place she was named Officer of the Month simply 4 months in the past.

The New York Metropolis Police Division mentioned in an announcement:

“Our hearts are heavy with grief over the lack of our colleague, Officer Rebecca De Paula, who handed away off-duty after solely 18 months on the power. We ask all New Yorkers to maintain her household, pals, and colleagues of their prayers throughout this troublesome time.”

Along with her work with legislation enforcement, De Paula was a pastor. Her religion neighborhood stored her of their prayers on Wednesday.

“She was my pastor and good friend,” Sailyng Schattuck mentioned. “God used her to assist every of us within the church. She all the time helped us to comply with a greater path.”

Information 4 spoke by telephone with considered one of De Paula’s brothers, who mentioned that the officer’s physique is within the Dominican Republic. They’re coordinating with the New York Police Division to switch it to New York Metropolis, the place her family members will say their closing goodbyes.