ANAHEIM, Calif.—A memorial service was held on Mar. 8 for the Huntington Beach police officer killed in a helicopter crash while on duty last month.
Nicholas Vella, a 14-year-veteran of the Huntington Beach Police Department, died from injuries he suffered when a helicopter that he and another officer were piloting crashed into Newport Bay on Feb. 19. The other officer was injured but survived the crash.
Thousands of police officers, family, and friends attended the memorial at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, held just three days before Vella’s 45th birthday.
Speakers overwhelmingly described Vella as a once-in-a-lifetime type of friend, who would consistently put others’ interests above his own, and who made a difference in people’s lives, speaking about his character and the compassion he had.
“For those who know Nick, you know that all memories start with that smile that lit up Nick’s whole face,” his brother, John, said. “That smile is here with us today. Chin to forehead, cheek to cheek, he had a smile for the ages.”
John said the last time he heard from Nick was a few days before the accident, where Nick wrote in a text message, “Anytime brother,” which John said perfectly encapsulated Nick’s spirit to help people, calling it “the code by which he lived.”
“Hug your loved ones, hug your children. In a single heartbeat, your world can change forever.” Nick’s father, also named John, said, “We don’t understand why God took Nick so soon when he had so much more he could do on this earth.”
“Son, you made me a better man,” he said.
Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said while reviewing Vella’s file after his death, he saw that Vella had 80 commendations, or about six every year. Parra said this was an incredible feat, and that he personally only had about one commendation every six years.
“I’m reading them, and every single one writes, ‘This is the greatest guy,’ ‘He’s got the best communication style,’ ‘He’s going to do whatever he wants in this department,’ ‘He’s a leader,’ ‘He exemplifies courage.’ He’s all of these things that are very positive in every single evaluation,” Parra said.
“I know it hurts. I know you’re in pain, and that will probably never go away,” Parra said to Vella’s family. “But know the contributions that he gave to society were very significant.”
The memorial was based on a traditional Catholic mass, where priests covered Vella’s casket in a white garment, which was similar to one he wore on the day of his baptism when he was young.
“There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see Nicholas again and enjoy his friendship,” Bishop of Orange Kevin W. Vann, who presided over the service, said.
Vella leaves behind his wife, Kristi, and daughter, Dylan.
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