PHILADELPHIA -
Highway Patrolmen trained by Officer Brian Lorenzo call him the "best of the best."
Adding he did all he could to make other officers better. They say when he pinned those Highway Patrolman wings on an officer who'd finished motorcycle training he beamed like a proud father.
His friends say the only thing he loved more was his family.
Officer Lorenzo was a husband and father of three. His youngest child is just 4-years-old.
Friend and fellow officer Eddie Lopez explained what he felt after hearing the news of Lorenzo's death and visiting with his family.
"To wake up to this your world crashes. His family is devastated right now"
The 48-year-old Highway Patrol officer never made it home to see his family Sunday morning.
He died in a crash around 3:15 a.m. on northbound I-95 near Cottman.
Investigators say a 48-year-old Levittown man, driving drunk and going the wrong way on the interstate, crashed into Lorenzo's police motorcycle.
John Leck Jr., 48, of Levittown, survived and is currently in the hospital. Police say he will be charged with vehicular homicide and DUI-related offenses.
"It's a sad, sad day for us," explained Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross. "Reckless is an understatement and all indications show he was under the influence," Ross said, referring to Leck.
Lorenzo's brothers in blue say being a Highway Patrolman was his passion.
As a 23-year veteran of the force "B-Lo" as some called him had become a member and teacher of the Highway Patrol units Drill Team.
Officers he taught say his motorcycle tricks were magical.
Lorenzo showed off his skills yearly at the annual Thrill Show where the Drill Team does stunts to raise scholarship money for children of police and firefighters.
Fellow officers say he had a wonderful sense of humor that helped make their toughest days a bit easier.
"He's been around a long time and had a big smile all the time, " said Deputy Commissioner Ross said.
Lopez, who is saddened he's losing a friend, devoted husband and father, says the city will also suffer the loss of one of its best policemen.
"He was good at his job. He made some good arrest took a lot of bad guys out of the street we lost a top notch officer you don't get better than this."
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter offered his condolences to officer Lorenzo's family.
He released a statement that reads in part: "I ask all Philadelphians to reflect on Brian's service, to remember him in their prayers and to share their thoughts and condolences with his wife and family and the thousands of Philadelphia police officers who ensure our safety each and every day and who have suffered a terrible loss."
On Monday morning, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 announced that a fund has been set up for Brian Lorenzo and his family at the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union.
If you would like to donate, the fund is named, "The Brian Lorenzo Memorial Fund." The account # is 84157201 and donations can be made at any PFFCU branch or other PFFCU members can contact 215-931-0300 directly.
