Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Saturday, April 24, 1999

Release #141-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Matthew Higgins 212-788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER HOWARD SAFIR RENAME STREET IN HONOR OF SLAIN POLICE OFFICER ANTHONY SANCHEZ

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today presided over the renaming of East 21st Street between Second and Third Avenues in Manhattan to "Police Officer Anthony Sanchez Way." On May 19, 1997, Officer Sanchez, a highly decorated ten-year veteran of the force, was shot to death in a Manhattan apartment building while responding to an armed robbery in progress.

"The brutal murder of Police Officer Anthony Sanchez brought our entire City together in mourning and left a deep void in the countless lives that had been touched by this remarkable young man," Mayor Giuliani said. "Officer Sanchez exemplified the best of the New York City Police Department, a man who pursued his job with the same vigor he pursued everything he did in life. The fifteen Departmental medals he received in just ten years on the force are indicative of the heroic Police Officer he was. But as much as Anthony loved his job, he was above all else, a doting father to his son John and a loving husband to his wife Elizabeth."

The Mayor continued, "This coming Monday, 1,370 men and women will graduate from the Police Academy. They will have received the most sophisticated law enforcement training in the country, but no amount of training can replace the role models they will seek out for guidance, leadership and inspiration. For these men and women and future generations of Police Officers, Anthony Sanchez will forever serve as a model of what it means to be a member of New York's Finest -- both on and off the job."

Police Commissioner Howard Safir said, "Police Officer Anthony Sanchez embodied the spirit of this Department - young Officers going forth to protect and save lives, even if it comes at the cost of their own. Many new officers coming to this precinct as well as Police Academy Recruits and community members will pass through this street - Anthony Sanchez Way - and will learn what true courage and selflessness really mean. His story will always be told and in that way, he will live on forever."

On May 19th, 1997, Anthony Sanchez, his partner, Officer Roy Ruland and three other officers responded to an armed robbery call at 138 West 17th Street. While attempting to apprehend a robbery suspect, Officer Sanchez was fatally shot. The suspect, Scott Schniederman, who was attempting to rob his own father, was later convicted of three counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Officer Sanchez joined the force on January 29, 1987 and was a member of the 13th Precinct in Manhattan on East 21st Street, now known as "Police Officer Anthony Sanchez Way". Throughout his career, Officer Sanchez was awarded 15 medals, including 3 for "Meritorious Police Duty" and 12 for "Excellent Police Duty." He was 31 years-old at the time of his death.

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