Nassau Police Officer Patricia Espinosa’s husband and brother sat down with News 12 and shared their memories of the wife and sister, respectively, who they say loved fiercely and widely.

Espinosa was killed after an alleged drunk driver struck and killed her early Saturday morning while she was on her way to work.

Nassau Police Officer Francisco Malaga said one of the reasons he fell in love with his wife, Officer Espinosa, was because “the kind of heart she had was just amazing.”

Their love story began three years ago, when Officer Espinosa invited Officer Malaga to a party.

“I was going through rough times, then and I got to the party and there she was. She was amazing and that’s when I fell in love with her,” he said.

He said they started dating and “ever since, I knew she was the love of my life.”

Officer Malaga said his wife would go out of her way to help people, including those in the police department she loved and even strangers.

Officer Espinosa’s brother, Cristian Almeida, also a police officer, said she was like a second mom to him. He said she was family-oriented and was always checking up on her younger siblings. He said it was because of her and her motivation that he has the “amazing life” he now has.

Officer Espinosa's daughter, Mia, is not yet 2 years old. Officer Malaga said "it breaks my heart" to know that his child is now without a mom. He said his daughter has been waiting for her mom to come home.