By Ed Wendell
Police Officer Emilia Rennhack of the 102nd Precinct. She had recently wed a fellow officer at the 102, Detective Carl Rennhack. “Officer Rennhack had such a bright future ahead of her, and all of New York City mourns her passing,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola said in a statement to the Leader-Observer.
When we first heard the news about what happened at Hawaii Nail & Spa Friday evening, it was a tragedy, one of many that we see on the news every day. Four people were killed, and nearly a dozen injured, when a drunk driver tore through the front of the salon in Deer Park.
But on Saturday morning, as more details emerged about the victims, word began to spread about the identity of one of the victims, Police Officer Emilia Rennhack of the 102nd Precinct. Rennhack was just 30 years old; she had been a member of the NYPD for 6 years and she was married to a fellow officer, Det. Carl Rennhack, also of the 102nd Precinct.
This is a terrible tragedy, one that has struck the members of our precinct, and the residents of Woodhaven are mourning alongside them.
“What happened with Officer Rennhack is an absolute tragedy,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola. “A beautiful young woman, getting her nails done for a wedding, suddenly had her life cut short by the irresponsible actions of a drunk driver. Officer Rennhack had such a bright future ahead of her, and all of New York City mourns her passing.”
“The Woodhaven Residents Block Association sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the 102 Precinct,” said WRBA President Martin Colberg. “Officer Emilia Rennhack will always be remembered as a protector of our community.”
“We are very saddened to learn about the loss of Officer Emilia Rennhack. She will always be remembered as a hero to our community,” said Sherry Algredo, Chair of Community Board 9. “We mourn with her family and friends and the 102nd Precinct. We are truly saddened to have lost one of our angels to this community.”
The 102nd Precinct released a statement on the horrible news that has hit two members of their family. “Officer Rennhack dedicated her life to serving and protecting our community with bravery, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Her sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten,” they said on Facebook.
“Emilia immigrated from Poland at the age of 12. She followed her dream of being a police officer. In 2018 Emilia graduated from the police academy, receiving the physical fitness award. In 2021 Emilia joined the 102nd Precinct Domestic Violence unit where she made a positive impact on families in need of support within the community.”
“In her 6 years as a police officer she amassed more than 150 arrests. She was looked up to by members of the community and her fellow brothers and sisters of the 102 Precinct.”
Police Officer Emilia Rennhack of the 102nd Precinct and her husband, Detective Carl Rennhack, also of the 102nd Precinct. “Both Emilia and Carl were part of our family,” The Detective Brian Simonsen Foundation, named for the detective from the 102nd Precinct who was killed in 2018, said in a statement.
The Detective Brian Simonsen Foundation, named for the detective from the 102nd Precinct who was killed in 2018, said that they were “beyond devastated to learn about the tragic passing of Emilia Rennhack.”
“Emilia was assigned to Brian’s 102 Precinct and married to 102 Squad Det. Carl Rennhack. The two were just married on September 7, 2023. Both Emilia and Carl were part of our family.”
You can tell by reading these comments that our friends at the 102 are hurting, not only for the loss that they feel, but for the loss that Det. Carl Rennhack is feeling. And there’s no words that can soothe that kind of pain. It is a terrible loss to our precinct, our community and our city and we are so sorry they are going through this right now.
As for the drunk driver, he should never see the light of day again. This was no accident. The drunk driver admitted to having consumed 18 beers in the time leading up to him slamming through the front of the salon. A man who does that does not care about whose lives he destroys.
He should spend the rest of his life behind bars, and he should be reminded daily about the 4 lives that he stole – Emilia Rennhack, Jiancai “Ken” Chen, Yan Xu, and Meizi Zhang.
And here, in Woodhaven, we will mourn alongside our friends at the 102nd Precinct. A month from now, Tuesday, August 6th, residents will gather in Victory Field for the annual National Night Out, sponsored by the 102nd Precinct and the 102 Precinct Community Council. It will be held on the softball fields which will soon be renamed in honor of Detective Brian Simonsen.
The spirit of Police Officer Emilia Rennhack will be a strong presence in the hearts and minds of everyone that night – from our officers at the 102nd Precinct to the community members that they serve and protect. There’s only way we can move on after a tragedy like this – together.
