'A true hero': Community mourns death of NYPD officer slain in the Bronx

Communities from the Bronx up to Westchester and the Hudson Valley are mourning the death of an NYPD officer who was fatally shot in the line of duty early Sunday morning.
Officials say 33-year-old Brian Mulkeen, of Yorktown Heights in Westchester, was patrolling Edenwald as part of the Bronx Borough Anti-Crime Unit. They say he was shot three times during a struggle with a suspect, who was killed at the scene.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer ordered that flags be lowered at all county buildings in honor of Mulkeen.
"All of Westchester County mourns NYPD Officer Brian Mulkeen. Mulkeen, a Yorktown Heights native, and nearly seven-year veteran of the NYPD was serving with the anti-crime unit in the 47th Precinct when he was killed," Latimer said in a statement. "In honor of his bravery and sacrifice, I am ordering that all flags at county facilities be lowered to half-staff. Mulkeen was a true hero, and we will remember his dedication to his profession and sacrifice always. At this time, we as a county, offer our sympathy and support to his family."
Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino Jr. said in a statement, "On this tragic day, we are beyond saddened to hear of the death of NYPD Officer Brian Mulkeen, a Yorktown Heights resident, who lost his life protecting the people of New York. We send our deepest condolences to our colleagues in the NYPD and to PO Mulkeen's family and everyone who loved him."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also released a statement saying, "I am absolutely heartbroken by the tragic loss of NYPD Officer Brian Mulkeen, who was shot and killed in the line of duty early Sunday morning in the Bronx. At 33, Officer Mulkeen was taken far, far too early from his family and from the city he sacrificed everything to protect. He is the embodiment of bravery and a true New York hero. On behalf of the New York family, I extend my deepest sympathies to Officer Mulkeen's family and loved ones during this excruciatingly painful period and I ask all New Yorkers to keep them in their prayers."
The NYPD says Mulkeen's girlfriend is also an officer serving in the Bronx.
He lived in Yorktown Heights, in Westchester County, but was a native of of Orange County, New York, where he attended Monroe-Woodbury High School. He also attended Fordham University, where he was a captain of the field team, competing in weight throw and hammer throw. He graduated in 2008.
Services for Mulkeen have not yet been announced.