[Long Island NY] Officer Anastasios Tsakos died on April 27 after being struck by 32-year-old Jessica Beauvais’ vehicle. Tsakos was directing traffic safely away from a separate deadly crash when a speeding and intoxicated Beauvais stuck the officer sending his body flying 100 feet through the air. Officers reported quickly diving out of the way of Beauvais’ car whose windshield was smashed following the impact.
Beauvais, an anti-police podcaster, now faces 13 charges including aggravated manslaughter and aggravated criminally negligent homicide. Police reports state that Beauvais also slammed her vehicle in reverse, crashing into another patrol car, as they attempt to pull her over.
His widow lrene now mourns the time lost. In a eulogy, she affectionately referred to her late husband as Tasso—her other half, the love of her life.
“I wish we could grow old together. That was the plan, but you were taken from us too soon,” she said.
Stolen from his young children, a three-year-old son and six-year-old daughter, they will be now forced to grow up without their father.
“I will be sure they know who he is. Every day they will see his face, and learn about all the wonderful things he did and what a hero he was. They will never forget. I will make sure of that,” said Tsakos.
Just before the accident, Beauvais — a podcaster and radio host — recorded a lengthy anti-police rant in which she blasted the justice system and its police officers.
While discussing the Derek Chauvin trial, Beauvais quoted hip-hop group N.W.A and said, “Like N.W.A. say about the police, if you’re going to kill me, at least I get to take someone with me.”
“I’m one of those people,” she said at the time. “If I’m going to go, someone is coming.”
“What happened to fighting?” she also said during the podcast. “I grew up on fighting. I like to fight. My hands and my feet and teeth. It does something for me — what does it do for you? F***ing people up never stopped being a thing. Shooting people is still wack. It means you can’t fight. It means you’re a cop.”
She added, “F*** the police.”
During her initial arraignment, Beauvais said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I hit him and now he’s dead.”
Beauvais, who was driving with a suspended license, allegedly admitted to investigators that she had downed vodka as she recorded podcast filled with anti-police messages in the hours before the tragic collision.
Tsakos, who was promoted to detective after his death, is survived by his wife and young children, ages 3 and 6.