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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2003
PR- 018-03
www.nyc.gov


NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND
POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY HONOR 84 MEMBERS OF NYPD AT MEDAL DAY 2003 CEREMONY

3 Medals of Honor, 27 Police Combat Crosses, and 54 Medals of Valor Awarded

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today honored 84 members of the NYPD for their heroic acts of courage during the NYPD's Medal Day 2003 ceremony by awarding 3 Medals of Honor, 27 Police Combat Crosses, and 54 Medals of Honor.  Family members of the honorees joined the Mayor and Commissioner at the Winter Garden for the ceremony.

 “Today we honor the men and women of the NYPD for courageously serving their fellow New Yorkers each and every day,” Mayor Bloomberg said.  “Their valiant efforts produced the lowest levels in crime since the early 1960s, earning New York its impressive status as the safest large City in the nation and the world.  On behalf of all New Yorkers, I thank the members of New York’s Finest for their incredible service and unmatched bravery and congratulate today’s exceptional honorees.”

“The men and women we honor today represent the finest and most courageous of the New York City Police Department,” Commissioner Kelly said.  “Whether they were on-duty or off, whether they were alone or in teams, every one of these officers put their lives at risk so that they might prevent harm to the public.  They pulled the wounded from the rubble of the World Trade Center.  They subdued armed, violent criminals.  They put their lives on the line time after time to rescue people in danger.  For their valor and heroism, I can think of no one more deserving of the Department's highest medals than the men and women we recognize today.”

Detective Patrick McGee, Detective Scott Strauss, and Police Officer Judith Hernandez received Medals of Honor, the Police Department's highest award, in recognition of their heroism during the attack on the World Trade Center.  The NYPD first awarded the Medal of Honor in 1871.  Since then, the NYPD has also recognized the extraordinary performance of duty by presenting police officers with two other awards, namely the Police Combat Cross, the NYPD’s second highest honor, and the Medal of Valor, the NYPD’s third highest honor.  This year, 27 officers received the Police Combat Cross, which recognizes courage and heroism during personal combat with an armed adversary, and 54 officers received the Medal of Valor, which recognizes personal bravery in the face of imminently dangerous or life-threatening situations. Finally, Unit Citations were awarded to eight commands.


 

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Ed Skyler/ Jerry Russo 
(212) 788-2958
 
  Michael O’Looney  ( NYPD )
(646) 610-6700