A Nassau Police officer who spent more than a decade in one of the department’s most demanding assignments has died, setting off a wave of mourning across Long Island’s law-enforcement community and an outpouring of support for his family.
Officer Sean Ledwith, a 12-year veteran of the police department and a father of four children, died in his sleep on Sunday, Jan. 11. With the Nassau County Police Department, he was assigned to the Bureau of Special Operations, the elite unit that handles some of the department’s highest-risk and most complex calls.
Before joining the police department, Ledwith, 45, of Malverne was a decorated U.S. Marine who completed multiple overseas deployments.
‘Tremendous loss’
Police unions and departments from across the region quickly began sharing tributes.
In a statement, the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association said it stood “in solidarity with the NCPD, BSO, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss,” while extending condolences to Ledwith’s family, friends and fellow officers.
Community wraps its arms around the Ledwiths
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Ledwith’s family cope with the sudden emotional and financial hardship in wake of his death. The fundraiser, which had raised $133,000 in less than 24 hours as of Wednesday morning, will help cover funeral expenses and provide stability for his wife and their four children in the months ahead.
Funeral services for Ledwith will be held this week.
Wake services are scheduled for Thursday at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish Center, 29 Quealy Place in Rockville Centre, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A departmental service will be held at 7 p.m.
A funeral Mass is scheduled Friday at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 78 Wright Place in Malverne. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River, where Ledwith will be laid to rest with full military honors.
Ledwith is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 18 years Shannon; their four children, Maeve, Sean Jr., Connor and Finn; nine brother and sisters; 28 brothers and sisters-in-law; and 32 nieces and nephews.
Fiercely loyal
Beyond his uniform, Sean Ledwith was known for a warmth and kindness that made people feel instantly at home. Friends and family remembered him as someone who was quick to laugh, fiercely loyal and deeply devoted to those he loved.
He cherished time with his family and friends — often gathered around a Jets or Knicks game — and he was a constant presence in his children’s busy lives, shuttling them across Long Island to sports and activities while working alongside his wife to give them strong Catholic educations and every opportunity to thrive, according to his obituary.
Ledwith is a graduate of Our Lady of Peace School in Lynbrook, Kellenberg Memorial High School and Adelphi University, Ledwith built a life defined by service and leadership. In 2014, he left a successful career in software sales to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a Nassau County police officer, rising to a plainclothes assignment and earning a coveted position in the Bureau of Special Operations.
While in the Marines, Ledwith completed three overseas deployments, including two tours in Iraq and one in Kosovo, earning the numerous military honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.
This story was updated at 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Top: courtesy of GoFundMe
