John Capano (AP)
Family and friends of the ATF agent who was shot and killed trying to foil a New Year’s Eve robbery was remembered today as a hero who always tried to help others, according to a letter penned by his daughter.
“What is a hero? According to the dictionary, a hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage and outstanding achievements,” wrote John Capano’s daughter Natalie in a letter printed in the funeral program. “A hero is a person who lives for others and who puts other’s needs before themselves.
“According to me, my Dad is a hero, because of everything he has done for others no matter the size. It wasn’t just the final act that made my Dad a hero, it was everything he did throughout his life.”
Capano, 51, a father of two, was inadvertently killed by retired Nassau County Lt. Chris Geraghty, 54, who shot him in a friendly fire incident trying to foil the same robbery.
Thinking Capano was shooting at him, Geraghty fired back, Âfatally wounding the 23-year veteran agent.
A large crowd, including hundreds of ATF agents from across the country, showed up this morning at St. William the Abbot Roman Catholic Church in Seaford to remember Capano. US Attorney General Eric Holder also delivered a eulogy during the service.
“Even in the company of some of the most elite law enforcement professionals in the nation, Senior Special Agent Capano stood out,” said Holder. “He won major decorations for his investigative work, his service overseas, on deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan – and his patriotic spirit. He shared his tremendous knowledge and expertise in countless training sessions – not only with his fellow ATF agents, but with state and local officials here in New York, as well as law enforcement officers across the country and even around the world.”
Capano’s brother, James Capano, also addressed mourners, saying, “You have read and heard by now what he did in the service for our country and the family he leaves behind. John was not only a husband and a father. He was also a brother, son, uncle, neighbor — but most of all, a friend.”
James Capano also referred to Geraghty, although he did not mention him by name.
“Let us not forget that others responded that day to stop a crime. Please remember they have families and acted as John did. However this turns out I ask that we pray for them, too,” he said.
Geraghty, whose lawyer has said is upset over the shooting, did not attend the funeral.
Meanwhile, Capano’s friends remained in shock over his death.
“I’m still trying to figure this out,” said ATF agent Gerry O’Sullivan, who worked with Capano. “John did what most trained law enforcement officers would do. And he did what he thought was best in protecting the public from violent criminals.”
In her touching letter handed out to mourners, Natalie wrote, “Just by having Dad present in any situation, we were all a little safer. Dad shoveled snow for our neighbors, because he didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Dad offered rides to those who were in need, even when they insisted otherwise. Dad always wanted what was best for other people and always went out of his way to make sure they got that. Every good deed he did stemmed from natural instinct and no act was too big to handle. By doing what he did best, Dad saved so many lives everyday for people who couldn’t have possibly known.
“Dad was a hero to Grandma. He was there for her every time she needed him; and he was there for her even when she didn’t want him to be! He was a hero to Grandpa. Just by being his son, he made his father so proud. He was a hero of my Mom, because he gave her a beautiful life and family in New York. I know my Mom was his hero, too. By being who she was, Mom gave him someone to fight for and someone to love. Dad was a hero to our entire family, because he loved us infinitely and always put smiles on our faces.
“Dad made an impact. It was his ability to passionately share his own interests and knowledge and also learn about the interest of others, but it was also everything else. People knew Dad for his dedication to his job and the love for his family, and his courageous selfless acts that shaped him into the person we all know and love. Heroism was the theme of his life.”