News

Correctional Heroes Honored at Medal Day Ceremony

The New York City Department of Correction hosted its 2025 Medal Day Ceremony on Nov. 14 with a celebration of even more bold heroism, honor, integrity, leadership and professionalism than years past.

New York City Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Mona Suazo, NYC DOC Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, Executive Leadership and union officials recognized our members for their professional excellence.  

“Medal Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It is the day we honor those who have gone the extra mile to achieve extraordinary things, those who have acted selflessly, and those who have displayed a remarkable level of commitment to our DOC community,” the Commissioner said during the ceremony at Queens College. “To all of our award recipients: thank you. Thank you for your dedication to this Department and to the city we serve. Thank you for setting the standard for your colleagues. Thank you for being Bold.”

The ceremony’s highest accolade, the Medal of Honor, was presented to Officers Daif, Gonzalez, Martin and Panton for their extraordinary acts of heroism that resulted in saving the lives of New Yorkers. 

This year’s Exceptional Merit Medal was awarded to Officers Saint-Phard and Stanislaus for leading emergency response at a tragic car accident while off-duty this past July.
 
The Boldest Family also paused during the ceremony to honor fallen hero Officer Horen Sterling, who died in the line of duty this past March while bravely serving our country in the U.S. Navy.
 
In recognition of its phenomenal work in ensuring safe and appropriate housing for people in custody who remained in NYC DOC’s care during the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision staff strike earlier this year, the Department’s Custody Management Centralized Movement Unit (CMCMU) was honored as one of this year’s Unit Citation recipients.
 
The Department also recognized members for their outstanding longevity and perfect attendance. This year’s award recipients included Officer Nelson, our current longest actively serving Correction Officer with 52 plus years of service, and Officer “Solid Gold” Jenkins with 46 consecutive years of service without a single absence.
 
Medal Day 2025 also featured New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer presenting NYC DOC’s kitchen staff with a citation for its outstanding work in preparing, cooking and serving thousands of nutritious meals every day on Rikers Island.

NYC DOC is proud to be a leading agency in emergency response and correctional custody, care, security and operations. 

View more photos from Medal Day here.