NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A police officer beloved by children has died from his injuries after he was struck by a car.

Officer Dan Picagli passed away on Saturday after he remained in a coma since the incident on Tuesday evening.

Fellow officers stood by his side at Yale-New Haven Hospital since Tuesday, comforting his wife and four children.

Police said the SUV struck Picagli at about 6:30 p.m. on Chapel Street between Olive Street and Depalma Court while he worked an extra-duty construction detail.

Eyewitness News reported on Wednesday that the driver of the SUV was federal Judge John M. Walker of the 2nd Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. Walker, 65, was also a guest lecturer at Yale University, according to school officials.

New Haven Police Chief Francisco Ortiz issued a statement, asking the community to keep Picagli's family in their prayers.

"We will never forget Officer Dan Picagli. We will memorialize his contributions to the community through the police department for years to come," Ortiz said.

Picagli, 38, has worked for New Haven police since 1989 and was a member of the Police Athletic League. On Friday, children whose lives Picagli touched made cards for the officer and his family.

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