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The widow of an NYPD cop who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver honored her hero husband by hosting blood drives ahead of Father’s Day.

Irene Tsakos, the widow of Detective Anastasios Tsakos, held two blood drives Thursday: one at NYPD Highway Patrol Unit 3 where her husband used to work, and another at St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church, where her husband’s funeral was held.

Irene, who was joined by her 6-year-old son Steven, told The Post the blood drive was in memory of her husband.


  The 14-year veteran was killed in a drunken hit-and-run on the Long Island Expressway in 2021. Jeff Crianza The 14-year veteran was killed in a drunken hit-and-run on the Long Island Expressway in 2021. Jeff Crianza

  Irene and her son Steven, collect blood to honor the fallen father of two. Jeff Crianza Irene and her son Steven, collect blood to honor the fallen father of two. Jeff Crianza

She plans to hold a blood drive every year around Father’s Day, she said,

The 43-year-old father of two was posthumously promoted to detective after he was killed three years ago in a drunken hit-and-run on the Long Island Expressway.

Irene made headlines during the trial last fall when she burst into tears after hearing a witness describe her husband’s gruesome injuries.

Prosecutors said driver Jessica Beauvais, 34, was high on drugs and had a BAC of .15 when she slammed her 2013 Volkswagen into Anastasios while he was investigating an accident in the early hours of April 27, 2021.

The 14-year veteran lost a leg and his organs were crushed when he landed 171 feet from the impact — but Beauvais just drove off, prosecutors said.

Hours before the fatal 2 a.m. crash, Beauvais was seen on a live podcast posted to Facebook slamming shots while going off on an anti-cop rant.


  Officers donated blood to support their fallen member’s widow. Jeff Crianza Officers donated blood to support their fallen member’s widow. Jeff Crianza

Beauvais’ attorney argued Anastasios should have been wearing more safety gear.

A judge sentenced Beauvais to 27 years in prison, with an opportunity for parole after 22 years.

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