Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2000

Release #271-00

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI, FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN HONOR
HERO FIRE LIEUTENANT JAMES HURLEY

Lieutenant Hurley Rushed to Assist Young Woman Attacked on Midtown Street

Mayor Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today honored Fire Lieutenant James Hurley for his heroism in coming to the aid of Tiffany Goldberg.

Ms. Goldberg was attacked with a concrete block by an unknown assailant on Sunday, July 9, 2000 on the East Side of Manhattan. Lieutenant Hurley, who was off-duty, happened to be driving by when he witnessed the attack. He immediately began to chase the attacker, but rushed to aid Ms. Goldberg when he saw that she was injured. Lieutenant Hurley then remained with Ms. Goldberg, working to stabilize her condition, until emergency crews arrived.

"When people think of what makes the City of New York great and unique, they should think of the quality, professionalism, and heroism of the men and women of our uniformed services," Mayor Giuliani said. "Protecting people and saving lives is Lieutenant James Hurley's job. But even when he's not officially on the job, he's still first and foremost a public servant-as he showed on Sunday. Doctors have told me that Lieutenant Hurley's quick thinking helped Ms. Goldberg survive a horrific assault. All New Yorkers are grateful for the job he's done-not just in this instance, but also throughout every day of his 17-year career in the Fire Department."

Commissioner Von Essen said, "Lieutenant Hurley's actions on Sunday embody the spirit of New York's Bravest. I know he's said that any of his colleagues in the Fire Department would have done the same thing in the same situation, and of course he's right. But that doesn't in any way diminish the valor he displayed-valor that may well have saved a young woman's life."

Lieutenant Hurley was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation, affixed with the City Seal and signed by the Mayor, at a ceremony in Midtown Manhattan.

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