Purple bunting and a flag at half-staff signaled the loss of an Eastchester Police Department officer Friday.

Joseph DePippo, a 31-year veteran, died as he was finishing his shift Friday morning. Eastchester Police Chief Timothy Bonci says DePippo collapsed of an apparent heart attack in the rear parking lot behind headquarters. Fellow officers and EMT workers tried to revive him. The 54-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at Lawrence Hospital.

Officials say DePippo was instrumental in training other officers on the force. He was described by colleagues as a ?cop?s cop.? DePippo leaves behind a wife and two children.