FRESH MEADOWS, NY – State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced that Governor Hochul has signed their legislation renaming of the Long Island Expressway (“LIE”) overpass located at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway as “Detective Anastasios Tsakos Memorial Bridge.” The new law, which passed both the State Senate and State Assembly with bipartisan support, will now allow the Department of Transportation to proceed with the design and installation of signage.

Earlier in the year, Stavisky and Rozic were joined by Irene Tsakos, various units of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (“NYC PBA”) President Patrick J. Lynch, and members of the local community memorializing the one-year anniversary of the passing of Detective Tsakos who was killed in the line of duty.

State Senator Stavisky said: “The designation of the 'Detective Anastasios Tsakos Memorial Bridge' will help keep the memory of Detective Tsakos alive while serving as a reminder of his tragic death in the line of duty. Detective Tsakos served our city with distinction for more than a decade before his untimely passing. He was a loving son, husband and father who is survived by his wife and two children. I am honored to have sponsored this bill to rename this overpass as a small gesture of gratitude for his sacrifice.”

Assemblywoman Rozic said: “This new law and signage will help memorialize Detective Tsakos and his heroism by renaming the Francis Lewis Boulevard LIE overpass in his honor. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this legislation expeditiously and getting this done.”

On April 21, 2021, while responding to a collision that occurred on the LIE to assist with directing traffic, Detective Tsakos was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver. The driver fled the scene but was later apprehended and later charged by a Queens grand jury with a 13-count indictment including aggravated manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter.

Detective Tsakos had served 13 years with the NYPD as a highway officer assigned to Highway Unit 3. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective. From East Northport, he is survived by his wife, Irene, and their two children.

To honor his memory, the lawmakers introduced legislation in their respective houses to rename the LIE overpass located at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway as “Detective Anastasios Tsakos Memorial Bridge.” Over the past few months, several gatherings have occurred to honor the late Detective Tsakos including a plaque and motorcycle sidecar dedication and renaming of the wellness center and gym at Highway Unit 3.

NYPD Chief of Transportation Kim Royster said: “The heartbreaking loss of Detective Anastasios Tsakos has left a void in our hearts that neither words nor time can ever fill.

However, we have an obligation to honor his memory and legacy. We must ensure future generations forever recognize the immense sacrifice Detective Tsakos made for the City he served. The renaming of the Long Island Expressway overpass where Detective Tsakos was killed, is one way we fulfill our promise that we make to all members of the NYPD the moment they step foot inside the halls of the police academy; a promise that we will never forget those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.”