While Irvington Police Officer Luigi Osso remains hospitalized in critical condition from serious injuries sustained from a high speed car chase in April, community members have banded together to raise funds and provide moral support for his family.

Over the course of the last month, various initiatives were undertaken, including the Irvington Fire Department holding a “boot” drive and the Irvington PBA selling 250 bracelets and over 150 magnets.

“On behalf of Officer Osso’s wife, Maria, and his family, they want to extend their thanks for the overwhelming support from the community residents, business owners, village officials and all people that come to support them in their time of need,” said Irvington Police Chief Michael Cerone. “We are a small-knit town and when you get a crisis of this nature everyone rises to the occasion.”

Among those answering the call were Ellen Lewit, Arriving Member and retired Greenburgh police officer, and First Attended Julia Antonietti of the Irvington Volunteer Ambulance Corps (IVAC), who organized a blood drive.

“Ellen and I worked very hard together to draw as many people as possible,” said Antonietti. “Everyone from the Ambulance Corps helped out.”

Their efforts produced significant results. Over the course of the two-day blood drive that was held at Irvington High School, 217 pints of blood were collected. By comparison, an average blood drive collects 40 pints per day.

“As first responders you really get to know the police officers you work with. We all knew Officer Osso and everyone wanted to help,” said Antonietti, a life-long resident of Irvington.

Osso, who has served with the Irvington Police Department for the last two years, previously was an officer with the Putnam County Sheriff Office. Kristin Vantassel, secretary/treasure of the Phillipstown North Highland Engine Company, said a pasta benefit held for Osso in May drew over 200 attendees.

“Cold Spring is a close community like Irvington. We are like a family. Officer Osso’s wife Maria is a member of the fire department and he is an honorary member,” said Vantassel. “We are doing what we can to make it easier on the family because once he is released from the hospital it will be a long road (to recovery).” All proceeds, she noted, will go to the Osso family.

Social Networking web sites, such as Facebook, have also brought people together from places far and wide. There are more than 2,500 members of the “Thoughts and Prayers for Irvington Police Officer Luigi Osso,” Facebook page.

Countless messages have been left on the wall including “Praying for a speedy recovery for Officer Osso and may God Bless all Law Enforcement Officers,” and “Luigi, you are in my prayers for a speedy recovery. You were such a positive influence for me when I was training for my 5k at Planet Fitness. You would come up to me with your big smile and positive reinforcement. Well dude, it’s our time to return the favor. Get better bro, I mean it. We need people like you in this world.”

Cerone said that Osso has undergone various surgeries since the accident.

“He is not out of harms way and is still in critical condition. We are all praying for improvement of his condition because there is another surgery to be performed,” Cerone said.

Osso’s condition is a result of a vehicular accident that occurred on Wednesday April 21. His patrol car was struck as he attempted to turn left onto Broadway from Main Street. The driver of the car was Brian Sabia a 16-year-old Milford, Connecticut resident who had stolen a 2001 blue Ford Mustang from a Milford car dealership. After being pursued by Elmsford Police, the stolen car slammed into Osso’s patrol car at a “high rate of speed.”

The teenager sustained injuries to his back and legs and remains hospitalized. He was remanded to Westchester County Jail and is being monitored by the Department of Corrections. He is charged with Vehicular Assault, a Class D level felony. While recent reports surfaced that the teen claimed to be on a suicide mission, Cerone said “there was some reporting on that but I’m not going to comment on it. The Westchester County District Attorney’s office is still conducting the investigation.”

As the investigation continues, community members will continue to lend support to Osso and his family. Vantassel said she was pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of support in Osso’s former community.

“We had old Italian women who never met him make over 700 meatballs for the benefit,” she continued. “There will be ups and downs but people that know him and people that don’t know him are all coming together to support him – it’s just great to see the amount of goodness that still exists in this world.”

Donations to help defray expenses for the Osso family can be made to the Irvington PBA c/o Village Hall, 85 Main St, Irvington, NY 10533.