A Final Farewell to One of Riverhead's Finest

Hundreds gathered under somber gray skies on Friday to pay their final respects to one of Riverhead's finest.

Riverhead Police Detective Robert Boden, 54, was laid to rest after a mass at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church that was attended by hundreds. The crowd was standing room only as mourners packed the church to say good-bye to a man who had spent over 30 years serving his community.

Many wept silently as bagpipes played and the funeral procession brought Boden to his final resting place at St. John's Cemetery.

Boden, 54, died on Monday after suffering a pulmonary embolism and heart attack on Friday, his brother-in-law Lt. David Lessard said.

Scores of police officers, EMTs, and students from McGann-Mercy, Boden's alma mater, attended services. The students wore sports uniforms as a tribute to a man who was a strong supporter of school teams and was a lifelong athlete.

Hearts were heavy this week as members of the department paid tribute to a man who’d dedicated his life to serving others.

Boden, Lessard said, came from a long line of law enforcement; his father was a detective with the RHPD and his brother Rick Boden is currently a lieutenant. “It’s a police family, there’s no doubt about that,” Lessard said.

Lessard said over the course of over three decades, Boden covered a number of big cases.

“Bob knew everyone in the Town of Riverhead, and everyone knew him. He was a valuable asset to the police department and will be greatly missed,” Lessard said. “He had a wealth of knowledge.”

The halls, Lessard said, echoed with Boden’s laughter. “He had a great sense of humor. Bob was definitely the department comedian.”

Mary Andruszkiewicz, senior administrative assistant to the police chief, said he was known for his laughter. "Every so often he'd say, 'Now don't tell the chief, Mary,'" she laughed. "He had a distinct laugh."

An athlete, Lessard said Boden enjoyed softball, golf, basketball, tennis, and going to Riverhead Raceway. “He did it all,” he said. “He was one of the greatest athletes you’ve ever come across.”

Boden also found himself drawn to the beach, Lessard said. “But the biggest thing he loved was his family.”

Boden leaves behind his wife Denise and their four children, Eric, Melissa, Amy and Brian.

And his loss is felt keenly by a strong brotherhood of police officers who are left bereft by his loss.

“Det. Boden and I were both hired on the same day, Nov. 16, 1981, and attended the Suffolk County Police Academy together,” Det. Sgt. Joseph Loggia said. “Det. Boden and I were assigned to the same patrol squad upon graduation from the academy. We were both promoted to the rank of detective in June of 1990. We worked together our whole careers and it is truly sad to see him pass. He was a great family man and he loved his job. He had a really good sense of humor and could always lighten the mood with it. I will truly miss Bob. The Riverhead Police Department has lost a good man.”

Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller agreed. “Bobby was a great guy,” he said. “He was an asset to the police department. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him. He was just such a presence, and always good for a laugh. He’s going to be terribly missed.”

Hegermiller and Boden were also both hired in 1981, attending the police academy together. Back when he was a detective sergeant, Hegermiller said Boden was a detective, and they were assigned to solve a case involving a string of burglaries.

“There were a lot of stakeouts,” he said. "Whenever anyone needed help, he said, “Bobby was right there to pitch in. This is very sad.”

Flags flew at half mast in Riverhead Tuesday; police headquarters were draped in bunting.

Despite the cloak of sadness, Lessard said Boden’s family found comfort in memories. “If you had a gathering, Bob would be the one in the middle of 20 people, who wanted to hear his stories. He told the best, most interesting stories. This is a tragedy for the family,” he said. “We love him."