Friends of the young Army National Guardsman shot dead by a detective during a traffic stop in Queens will raise money tonight to help his family pay for his funeral.
Center of Attention, an auto club that counted Noel Polanco, 22, as a member, is hosting the event at Tavern Lounge on Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven, pals said.
“He was always jolly and happy,” said Tavern bartender Diane Batista, 25. “I’m going to be off tomorrow, but I’m coming [to support him].”
Meanwhile, Polanco’s grieving relatives prepared to travel to New York.
“It’s a very devastating time for us,” said his uncle Alexander Polanco, who lives in Florida.
Police pulled over Noel Polanco on the Grand Central Parkway as he drove two co-workers home early Thursday. Detective Hassan Hamdy, who sources said was “fearing for his life,” shot Polanco who had allegedly failed to keep his hands on the steering wheel, then reach down.
Polanco’s passengers said he never took his hands off the wheel.
Additional reporting by Candace Amos
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