Contact: Colleen Roche or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today honored the memory of six New York City Police Officers killed in the line of duty in 1996. Before hundreds of police officers and the families and friends of the deceased officers, the Mayor and Police Commissioner unveiled the newly inscribed names on the Police Department's Wall of Honor in the lobby of One Police Plaza.
"Today we remember and honor the courage and dedication of the police officers who were killed in the line of duty last year," Mayor Giuliani said. "We will never forget the sacrifices they made to protect the people of this City. And we will always be there for the families of these fallen officers. It was your love and support that gave them the strength to meet the challenges they faced each and every day."
The Mayor continued, "As we pay special tribute to the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, we recognize that they represent the highest standards of the New York City Police Department. They honored us with service to our City. Today, we salute their memory by pledging that they will always be remembered and honored by the people of New York City."
Police Commissioner Safir said, "Today, we honor the memory of six police officers, who gave their lives to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers. We place these names prominently in the lobby of Police Headquarters, because they embodied and will continue to represent the highest ideals of the Department. These six men lost their lives doing something they truly loved, serving the citizens of this City. Their tremendous sacrifice will never be forgotten."
The Mayor then honored the first member of the Department killed in the line of duty in 1996. "A proud member of the Highway Patrol, Police Officer Charles Oddo, volunteered to come into work early to help direct traffic on the Belt Parkway the February 17th morning he was killed. He loved his job, but more importantly he loved helping other people. To his father Joseph and his mother Rose, we will always remember Charlie's dedication and enthusiasm for his work," the Mayor said.
The second officer to die in the line of duty in 1996 was Kevin Gillespie. Gillespie, a member of the Street Crimes Unit, was responding to a car theft when he was shot and killed. "On March 14, 1996, when Kevin was called to investigate the report of a car that had been stolen, his only concerns were for bringing the perpetrators to justice, returning the car to its owner and protecting the people of this City," Mayor Giuliani said. "To his mother Theresa, his wife Patty, and his two young sons Daniel and Robert, the City will always remember Kevin's courage and commitment to the people of this City."
Officer Vincent Guidice was killed during a domestic violence call on May 21, 1996. "When Police Officer Guidice returned to an apartment in which a woman had been terrorized and beaten the night before to try and save her, he was not thinking of the dangers and personal risks he would be taking. To his mother Eileen, his fiancee Geraldine, his brothers Paul and Vito, we will always remember Vincent's bravery and self-sacrifice.
"While protecting the people of this City, Police Officer Brian Jones was killed in a shoot-out with a dangerous and armed individual out on parole, on October 13, 1996," Mayor Giuliani said. "To his mother Mrs. Lucille Jones-Smith, his stepfather Lawrence Smith, and to Brian's beloved aunt, Daphney Innis, we will always remember Brian as a gentle, caring person and committed officer."
"On October 18, 1996, Lieutenant Federico Narvaez was shot and killed while investigating a complaint of a woman who was being stalked. With little concern for his personal safety, he rushed to her aid. To his wife Marilyn, his beloved daughter Katrina, his mother Antonia and his father Federico, the City will always remember Freddy as an officer who was both brave and kind.
"During a December 21 robbery at a check cashing store, off-duty Police Officer Charles Davis put his life at risk in order to save another man from sure death. To his wife Angela and his beloved daughter Arielle, we will always remember Charles' selfless act of heroism," the Mayor concluded.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th of 1963 and each succeeding year as Police Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week during which May 15th falls as Police Week.