Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2000

Release #419-00

 
Contact: Michael Anton/Julie Caudell (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KERIK HONOR FALLEN HEROES AT POLICE MEMORIAL CEREMONY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik today presided over a ceremony honoring the one police officer, Police Officer Matthew Dziergowski, who died in the line of duty in 1999, and one patrolman, Thomas Gilbert, who died in the line of duty in 1918. The Mayor and Police Commissioner joined family and friends of Officer Dziergowski to unveil the newly inscribed names of the fallen heroes on the New York City Police Memorial in Battery Park.

"It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to add the names of two of our City's heroes - Patrolman Thomas Gilbert and Police Officer Mathew Dziergowski - to the New York City Police Department Memorial," said Mayor Giuliani. "These two brave officers join the hundreds of others whose names are carved into this wall. They died for their fellow officers, and for the people of the City of New York. They lived their lives, and lost them, as pure expressions of the love they felt for other human beings. And our City will never forget them."

"Patrolman Gilbert was killed in the line of Duty when he was struck by a vehicle in 1918. More that 80 years after losing his life, Officers across the City continue to embrace the spirit that Patrolman Gilbert embodied. Many of you here today knew Officer Dziergowski. I want you to know that we will never forget him or the ultimate sacrifice he made to save the lives of fellow officers. His memory, and the spirit of his heroism, will live on in our hearts," continued the Mayor.

"Today we remember two police officers who served this City in very different eras, and pass along their message of dedication and courage to those who will never have the privilege of knowing them," said Commissioner Kerik. "Matthew Dziergowski and Thomas Gilbert were men of character and conviction, who gave everything they had to the NYPD and the City of New York. By adding the names to this Wall of Honor, we ensure that the bravery they demonstrated and the valiant gifts they gave to this community will never be forgotten."

The New York City Police Memorial was created in 1997 in Battery Park to honor New York City Police Officers killed in the line of duty since 1854. The names of the following Officers were added to the Memorial today:

 

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