Suffolk County Police Commissioner Apologizes to Family as Community Mourns CVS Worker Killed on Christmas [WATCH]

More than 200 people gathered Monday night at Lindenhurst Village Square for a candlelight vigil honoring Edeedson Cine, the 23-year-old CVS employee killed during a robbery on Christmas Day.

The vigil drew family members, friends, coworkers, and local residents, along with Suffolk County’s top law enforcement official, as reported by the New York Post.

Kevin Catalina addressed the crowd and offered a public apology to Cine’s family, stating that the department failed to prevent the fatal attack.

Edeedson Cine Jr. was not scheduled to work at CVS on Christmas, but he was called in. John Pilaccio was arrested and charged on Friday with second-degree murder in connection to the deadly attack on Cine.https://t.co/NKevuaAURc pic.twitter.com/tkLwInEEO9

— Fly Sistah (@Fly_Sistah) December 27, 2025

“It’s my job to make sure that things like this don’t happen,” Catalina said.

“I want to offer my apologies to the family.”

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Catalina became emotional while speaking and later embraced Cine’s father in front of the crowd.

He also pledged to work closely with Ray Tierney to pursue the strongest possible case against John Pilaccio, the 43-year-old suspect charged in the killing. Catalina said the department would seek to ensure Pilaccio “will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

According to prosecutors, Pilaccio entered the CVS store shortly before 7 p.m. on Christmas Day and demanded money from Cine.

When Cine refused, Pilaccio allegedly stabbed him in the chest. The attack occurred while Cine was working a holiday shift.

Coworkers told authorities that Cine had volunteered to work so another employee could spend Christmas with family.

Cine’s father also spoke at the vigil, telling those gathered that his faith had helped him endure the loss. He said he does not harbor hatred toward the man accused of killing his son and stated that he forgives him.

“Love conquers all,” Cine Sr. said. He added that he is proud of his son and said he is grieving not only the person Cine was, but also “what he had yet to become.”

Throughout the vigil, speakers described Cine as a selfless and generous person who was widely known in the community. Friends, relatives, and customers shared stories of his kindness and willingness to help others.

An emotional woman who identified herself only as Cine’s “best friend” addressed the crowd while holding a framed collage of photos. “He didn’t deserve not one bit of this,” she said.

One of the most personal stories came from Daniel, a 12-year-old boy who said he encountered Cine at the CVS during the summer.

Daniel recalled entering the store on a hot day to buy a Gatorade, only to realize at the counter that he did not have enough money. Daniel said Cine, known to many as Eddy, paid the difference out of his own pocket.

“I always remembered him because of that,” Daniel said. “Eddy was a good guy, I wish there were more people like him in the world.”

Edeedson Ciné Sr. spoke steadily, gently and without anger at a candlelight vigil honoring his murdered son Eddy Monday night in Lindenhurst:
“We don’t harbor any hate. We don’t harbor any ill will, because we believe in the faith that love conquers all. I want you to know that… pic.twitter.com/TzjH2BNDKj

— Greater Long Island (@Greater_LI) December 30, 2025

The vigil concluded with moments of silence and prayer as attendees held candles in Cine’s memory. The investigation into the stabbing remains active, with prosecutors continuing to prepare the case against Pilaccio.

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