‘God used her’: NYPD officer Rebecca De Paula mourned after DR surgery death

De Paula died this weekend in the Dominican Republic after undergoing a cosmetic surgery procedure at a clinic in Santo Domingo. Checkey Beckford reports. 

Family, friends, and dozens of loved ones gathered Tuesday for a funeral Mass mourning the death of NYPD officer Rebecca De Paula, the mother of three who died following a cosmetic procedure in the Dominican Republic earlier this month.

According to her family, the 31-year-old De Paula contracted an apparent bacterial infection after surgery. She died on Aug. 2. They've asked for an investigation into possible negligence at the clinic.

“No, we never, ever, ever expected that,” said Yocelyn Lovera, De Paula’s aunt. “I expected her to bury me, not the other way around.”

Tuesday's service at Love, Power and Grace Church in the Bronx took place at 10 a.m. It was followed by interment at Hoboken Cemetery in New Jersey.

Dozens of NYPD officers, in a solemn moment, bid a final farewell with full honors to their colleague, Officer Rebecca De Paula.“I feel proud, not of her death, but of how great my granddaughter was here,” said Jose Lovera, grandfather of Officer De Paula.For her grandfather, a retired police officer in the Dominican Republic, the pain is immeasurable.

Suspect in Chucky-style mask wanted in Philadelphia after chasing jogger: Police.“She visited me five years ago,” Lovera said. “And she told me she wanted to be a police officer just like her grandfather, which was me.”

The family continues to wait for autopsy results from Santo Domingo.
“Right now we are waiting for the autopsy results to know clearly what happened,” said Yomairis Lovera, De Paula’s sister.The flag that covered the coffin was received by the officer's widower on Tuesday.

“She was everything to me, my sister, my best friend,” Yomairis said. “We talked about everything, she gave me advice; I gave her advice. Very sad.”
Shortly after De Paula's death, those closest to her said a light had gone out.

On Monday, many remembered her at a wake.

“As a police officer, she was a very kind woman with children,” said Luis Pimentel, a neighbor of De Paula. “She was involved in the church; everyone here in the community loved her.”

"It's painful for anyone to lose a loved one," said Jorge Ycasa, a neighbor of the family.De Paula had been with the NYPD since January 2025 and worked at the 46th Precinct in the Bronx. In March of this year, she was named Officer of the Month.

The NYPD previously said in a statement:

“Our hearts are heavy with grief over the loss of our colleague, Officer Rebecca De Paula, who passed away off-duty after only 18 months on the force. We ask all New Yorkers to keep her family, friends, and colleagues in their prayers during this difficult time.”

In addition to her work with law enforcement, De Paula was a pastor. Her faith community keeps her in their prayers.

“She was my pastor and friend,” Sailyng Schattuck said Monday. “God used her to help each of us in the church. She always helped us to follow a better path.”De Paula is survived by her husband and three children.