Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, September 25, 2000

Release #368-00

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Julie Caudell (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KERIK HONOR
NYPD HEROES AT MEDAL DAY CEREMONY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik today honored members of the New York City Police Department for acts of valor at the Medal Day 2000 ceremonies held at One Police Plaza. At the ceremony, 37 members of the Department received Departmental medals for acts of heroism, including the highest - the Medal of Honor - awarded to Detective Lawrence Marcario, Sergeant James Hopkins, Sergeant Darren Finn, and posthumously to Police Officer Matthew Dziergowski. Also honored at the ceremony were eight commands that were recognized with Unit Citations for outstanding service during the previous year.

"Today is a solemn day, but also a proud one. When we honor our fallen heroes like Officer Dziergowski, we tell them and their families that they are not forgotten," Mayor Giuliani said. "Their sacrifice inspires us everyday and it is a privilege to honor them and also those who have followed their example."

"Medal Day is truly one of the proudest and most hallowed traditions of this Department," said Commissioner Kerik. "The heroes we honor today are individuals who kiss his or her family goodbye each day, put on a uniform, and walk directly into the path of danger to help people they have never met, saving the lives of others, sometimes at the price of their own. They are to be commended for their service, bravery, and sacrifices."

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest award that may be bestowed upon a member of the service. The recipients are chosen from the distinguished departmental record of those already honorably mentioned for individual acts of bravery in the line of duty. The Medal of Honor is specifically awarded for acts of gallantry and valor performed with knowledge of the risk involved, above and beyond the call of duty. This year, the Medal of Honor was presented to four members of the service.

Medal of Honor Awarded Posthumously

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest honor awarded by the Department. The Combat Cross is granted to members of the service who successfully and intelligently perform an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life. The Police Department awarded 11 Combat Crosses today.

The New York City Police Department Medal for Valor is conferred upon police officers for outstanding acts of personal bravery at imminent hazard to life, or for outstanding community service. The Police Department awarded 22 Medals for Valor today.

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