| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/ Edward Skyler (212) 788-2958 |
| Marilyn Mode (DCPI) (212) 374-6700 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today renamed a Belt Parkway Interchange
after Police Officer Charles Oddo, who was killed in the line of duty in 1996.
The Mayor was joined by Police Commissioner Howard Safir and members of Officer
Oddo's family.
"Charles Oddo was a dedicated police officer," Mayor Giuliani said.
"His belief in service was a guiding principal of his life, as demonstrated
by his work as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic. In the four years since
his death, his family, friends and fellow officers have honored his memory by
remembering him and the example he set. Today is New York City's turn to pay
this tribute to Officer Oddo so that he is never forgotten."
Police Commissioner Safir said, "We join together this morning to remember
Police Officer Charles Oddo, and to honor the many gifts that he gave to us
all. From today on, future generations of New Yorkers who pass this spot or
hear the name Police Officer Charles Oddo Interchange will be reminded of a
brave and committed man who made the ultimate sacrifice for the people of this
City."
Charles Oddo was born on November 30, 1963. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic prior to joining the New York City Police Department in 1990. Police Officer Oddo served in the First Precinct in Manhattan from 1990 until 1995 when he was assigned to Highway Two Headquarters on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
On February 17, 1996, while Officer Oddo was directing traffic around an oil tanker that had overturned on the Belt Parkway at 65th Street, he was struck and killed by an oncoming vehicle.
In July of 1999, the Mayor signed legislation, sponsored by Council Members Golden, and Dear, which designated the entire 65th to 67th Street Interchange on the Belt Parkway, in Brooklyn as "Police Officer Charles Oddo Interchange."
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