New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly will join family members in honoring Department members for their heroic acts of courage during the NYPD's Medal Day 2003 ceremony on Friday, January 17, at 11:30 a.m. The event will take place at the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center.

Three Medals of Honor, the Department's highest award, will be presented. Detective Patrick McGee, Detective Scott Strauss and Police Officer Judith Hernandez will receive the medals in recognition of their heroism during the attack on the World Trade Center. When the south tower collapsed, Hernandez and her partners were in the sub-levels directing people to safety. One of her partners was severely wounded. She single-handedly carried him up two flights of stairs to safety. McGee and Strauss arrived after the towers fell, and when they heard reports that two officers were trapped in the rubble, they disregarded their own safety and plunged into the wreckage to find them. After three hours, they found the officers, cleared the rubble, and pulled them to safety.

The NYPD's first Medal of Honor was awarded in 1871. Since then the Department has also recognized extraordinary performance of duty by presenting officers with two other awards: the Police Combat Cross and the Medal of Valor. This year, 27 officers will be awarded the Police Combat Cross, the Department's second-highest honor, which recognizes courage and heroism during personal combat with an armed adversary. In addition, 54 officers will be awarded the Medal of Valor, the Department's third-highest honor, which recognizes personal bravery in the face of imminently dangerous or life-threatening situations. Eight commands will also be awarded Unit Citations.


MEDIA

All properly credentialed media must arrive between 9 a.m and 10:30 a.m. and enter the building at the rear. Parking will be available on North End Avenue south of Vessey Street to the dead end. All regular parking rules will be in effect. Parking and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis.


WHAT: MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND COMMISSIONER KELLY TO HONOR NYPD MEMBERS AT MEDAL DAY 2003 CEREMONY

WHEN: FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, AT 11:30 A.M.

WHERE: WINTER GARDEN - - WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER