Off-duty P.C. police officer dies in motorcycle accident

July 10, 2024 at 11:57 p.m.

Around 50 law enforcement officials from across the region join the family and friends of Christopher Bernal, a Port Chester police officer and lifelong Village resident who died on Sunday, July 7, at the Craft Memorial Home on Leicester Street on July 9. Saluting in a final farewell, multiple agencies had just escorted Bernal’s remains back home from Goshen in a procession organized by the Port Chester police. (Sarah Wolpoff/Westmore News)

With great sadness, the Village of Port Chester announced the death of local Police Officer Christopher Bernal.

The message was distributed on Monday, July 8, the day after he succumbed to injuries from an off-duty motorcycle accident that occurred in Orange County, N.Y.

A lifelong Port Chester resident, he was 23 years old.

Officer Bernal joined the Port Chester Police Department in 2023, and since served with unwavering commitment and professionalism, the Village wrote in a statement, describing him as a respected and valued member of the community.

Port Chester Police Chief Christopher Rosabella expressed heartfelt condolences.

    Police begin their approach for a brief send off as the remains of fallen officer Christopher Bernal are taken out of a transporting minivan to be transferred into Craft Memorial Home. Bernal died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Highlands at the age of 23. He had been a Port Chester police officer since July 2023.
 By Sarah Wolpoff   

“In Officer Bernal’s one year with the police department, he touched everyone with his smile, his zest for life, and his unparalleled enthusiasm for serving as a police officer,” he said. “His tragic death deeply affects members of the Port Chester Police Department and the entire community. Our thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support remain with the Bernal family.”

In a Facebook post, the Port Chester Police Department described the fallen officer as “an all around happy go lucky kid, whose smile was from ear to ear.”  

In a statement, Mayor Luis Marino said Bernal’s compassion and dedication to the community will be his legacy.

“Officer Bernal was a rising star in our police department, whose promising career was tragically cut short,” said Village Manager Stuart Rabin. “His professionalism and dedication to keeping our village safe were just two of the many qualities Christopher exemplified every day for the benefit of our community.”

On Tuesday, the Port Chester police organized a procession where law enforcement officials from across the region joined in a caravan to escort Bernal’s remains from Goshen to the Craft Memorial Home in Port Chester. In a final farewell, around 50 officers joined Bernal’s friends and family in a salute. They shared a few moments of silence before he was ushered inside.

On Monday, all flags in the Village of Port Chester were ordered to be flown at half-staff in honor of Bernal. They will remain that way through Sunday, July 14.