Off-Duty New York City Police Officer Killed While Preparing for Wedding

Friday, June 28th, 2024, started like any other in Deer Park, Long Island. At the Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard, the familiar hum of conversation and laughter filled the air as people pampered themselves, stealing a moment of peace in their busy weeks.

Then, at around 4:30 pm, their world shattered in the wink of an eye. A speeding minivan tore through the storefront, transforming the sanctuary of self-care into a scene of unimaginable horror.

Shrieks replaced laughter, the scent of nail polish overpowered by the metallic tang of blood.

Among the victims was Emilia Rennhack, a 30-year-old off-duty NYPD officer. Just hours before, she might have been chasing down a petty thief, directing traffic, or offering comfort to a lost child.

She had just stopped at the salon to get her nails done for a fellow cop’s wedding later that night. Moments earlier, she might have been happy, looking forward to the celebration and the joy it would bring. But everything shattered in an instant.

Now, her badge lay silent, a heavy reminder of the life extinguished so abruptly.

News of the tragedy spread like wildfire, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of the close-knit Deer Park community.

In the days that followed, the boarded-up salon became a makeshift memorial. Candles flickered, casting a warm glow on souvenirs and flowers left by grieving friends, family, and complete strangers mourning the lives cut short in the blink of an eye.

Here’s how it all began.

Just after 4:30 p.m., Steven Schwally, 64, of Dix Hills careened his speeding 2020 Chevrolet Traverse into the Hawaii Nail & Spa storefront, trapping customers and employees inside.

Witnesses and police reported that Schwally was allegedly drunken and driving in a reckless and hostile manner, hurling verbal abuse at bystanders before the crash.

The minivan ended up lodged near the rear of the salon, leaving a path of devastation. The entire glass storefront was shattered, and the ceiling caved in.

“There were people trapped, and we extricated them and transported everyone to area hospitals,” Deer Park Third Assistant Chief Dominic Albanese said.

“They were trapped inside. Everybody was inside the salon.” Albanese added, “It’s horrible. It’s horrible. It can be tough for the community and tougher for the volunteer fire department, but you know we’re going to get through it.”

In a large-scale emergency response, over 150 firefighters and emergency medical services personnel swarmed the scene, what the Deer Park Fire Department designated as a “mass casualty event.”

The incident resulted in a devastating loss of life. Four people, believed to be patrons inside the salon, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Nine others, including a young girl only twelve years old, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. One critically injured victim required airlifting for urgent medical attention.

Among the victims was Police Officer Emilia Rennhack, who had stopped at the salon to get her nails done for the wedding of a fellow officer later that night.

Rennhack, a six-year NYPD veteran, had married Detective Carl Rennhack in September. The pair met on the job, and her loss has left her husband devastated.

“He’s in bad shape,” a police source said. “His wife was his life.”

Social media brims with stolen moments of Rennhack’s wedding day. Clad in a pristine white gown, a radiant smile paints her face as her groom draws her close, the very essence of the love that brought them together.

Her mother-in-law, Holy Rennhack, was in tears after Emilia’s death. “My daughter-in-law was a wonderful woman,” she told The Post.

“She was beautiful. She was very kind. She was very compassionate. She was very special. I was very, very close to her,” she said, adding that her son was “very distraught right now.”

Officer Rennhack joined the force in 2018, according to police. In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, the Police Benevolent Association acknowledged the “tragic loss” of Officer Rennhack.

They encouraged the community to offer prayers and support to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

The Det. Simonsen Foundation, established after NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen’s tragic shooting, shared a heartfelt post online about Rennhack’s passing, emphasizing that she and her fiancé “were part of our family.”

“The Simonsen Foundation is beyond devastated to learn about the tragic passing of Emilia Rennhack,” the post reads.

“You could always see them at our events, and they always honored Brian. We will miss Emilia and we will NEVER forget her. To Carl, we love you beyond measure and we are here for you forever.”

Upon arrival, first responders reported the driver exhibited signs of being only partially alert.

Steven Schwally, who was arrested for drunken driving, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he is still receiving treatment as of Saturday. Authorities have announced that they expect to upgrade the charges against him pending further investigation.

Schwally has a history of DUI offenses, with his record including a conviction from April 2014.

His brother, Edward Schwally, conveyed deep sorrow and admitted to his brother’s troubled history.

“It’s like my worst nightmare come true. I feel terrible about innocent people getting hurt,” Edward told The Post, reflecting on the devastating impact of the incident.

Edward Schwally also mentioned that his brother had a habit of “bad mouthing everyone” and could be “vicious at times.”

He lamented, “There’s nothing I can really do for him. It’s out of everybody’s hands. It’s in the hands of the courts. He is not going to see the light of day. He’s finished. There is no way to get out of that.”

David Caburis, 41, from Whitestone, Queens, used to spend time with Schwally in their younger days but was unaware of his old friend’s involvement in the deadly DWI crash.

“He was a normal person,” Caburis remarked, expressing surprise over the incident. “I never knew him to drink and drive,” he added, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events concerning Schwally’s actions.

A Stop & Shop deli manager described the moments before the car crashed into the nail salon. The manager, who wished to be identified as Bobby, said he heard a woman yell at the driver, identified as Steven Schwally, after Schwally nearly hit her with his car in the store’s parking lot.

“He was flying,” he recounted.

Ten seconds later, according to Bobby, Schwally’s car slammed into the nearby nail salon.

A community vigil for the victims will be held on Monday, July 1st at 7 pm, as announced by a poster outside the Hawaii Nail & Spa.

Funeral arrangements for Officer Rennhack are scheduled for July 6th at noon at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, as per the NYC PBA.

This devastating incident at the Hawaii Nail & Spa has left an indelible mark on the community, underscoring the fragility of life and the enduring impact of reckless behavior.

The memory of Officer Emilia Rennhack, her dedication to service, and her love for her family and community will not be forgotten. As investigations continue and the community mourns, there is a collective hope for healing and stronger measures to ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.

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