Benjamin Riley Ehlers

Who was Benjamin Ehlers?  Also known as “Benny the Cop” or “Cobra Ben”, Ben Ehlers was a man who rose from humble beginnings to lead a full and respected life.  One of seven children, he met the love of his life upon his family’s return to New York from Virginia.  Across the street from his family’s new home in Seaford lived a girl named Annamae.  She would later become his wife and soul mate.

Prior to his graduation from Seaford High School in 1961, Ben enlisted in the United States Navy.  During his time in the Navy, Ben would be involved in the historical Cuban Missile Crisis.  He took much pride in being on a Navy ship that was part of the blockade that turned away Soviet Union ships from reaching Cuba. 

After his time in the Navy, Ben became a Suffolk County Police Officer in 1965.  Working first in the Third Precinct in Bay Shore and later in the Fifth Precinct, he would serve the people of Suffolk County for over 30 years.  He loved his job, particularly the years that he was assigned the “520” car covering the areas of Oakdale, West Sayville, and Sayville.

Ben filled his free time with many family activities and travel with his wife Annamae, daughter Maryann, and son Jim.  These activities included many day trips, long vacations including a cross-country road trip and a trip to Hawaii, boating excursions, and coaching little league sports teams.  He would want me to mention that several of those teams were Championship winning teams.  Later in life the arrival of grandchildren Kristen, Thomas, and Daniel would allow him to experience many fun events with them.

Perhaps his biggest and longest running passion in life was his love of cars.  A self-proclaimed “Car Guy”, Ben loved everything about cars, especially fast cars.  Ben loved to build, race, and customize cars.  From winning numerous trophies for winning drag races at Long Island’s race tracks of yesteryear, such as Islip, Freeport, National and West Hampton Speedway, to building race engines for cars and speedboats to entering cars in car shows, Ben was all about cars.  He maintained this passion from his teen years all the way to the end of his life.  Ben lived a very full life with many worthy accomplishments, many great family memories and many hot cars.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: True North Community Church 1101 Lakeland Ave. Bohemia, NY 11716

Visitation- Wednesday July 23, 2025 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at our West Sayville Funeral Home, 245 Main St.

Chapel Service- Thursday July 24, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at our West Sayville Funeral Home, 245 Main St.

Interment- Pinelawn Memorial Park