Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Marilyn Mode (212) 374-6700 (NYPD)
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today honored members of the New York City Police Department for acts of valor at Medal Day 1998 ceremonies held at One Police Plaza. At the ceremony, the Department's highest award, the Medal of Honor, was presented to the family of slain Police Officer Anthony Sanchez. In addition, 15 officers were honored with the Combat Cross, 33 officers received Medals for Valor, and seven police commands were recognized for outstanding service.
"As police officers in our nation's largest, most modern, most professional and most restrained police force, you live up to every inch of your hard earned and world-famous nickname: New York's Finest," Mayor Giuliani said. "But even among this illustrious group there are those who, through their degree of personal courage in dangerous circumstances, distinguished themselves as the best of the best. This day is for them and their families," the Mayor added.
"Today we award Police Officer Anthony Sanchez with the Police Department's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. We can never adequately pay our respects to a man who lays down his life so that others might remain safe. We can never replace the longing that his family feels in their hearts. But we can assure them, upon our devotion to his memory and his example that we will strive to live up to his standards of commitment and bravery," the Mayor concluded.
"Today we recognize the heroic acts of the men and women who were recently called upon to exhibit selfless courage and valor, " Police Commissioner Howard Safir said. "Whether in uniform or civilian clothes, on-duty or off-duty, each of these officers unhesitantly acted to preserve the safety of others. That courage and bravery which we salute is the hallmark of true heroism. One of those officers paid the ultimate sacrifice for this City. That man, Police Officer Anthony Sanchez, must never be forgotten, and will never be forgotten."
The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest award that may be bestowed upon a member of the service. The recipients are chosen from the distinguished Departmental record of those already honorably mentioned for individual acts of bravery in the line of duty. The Medal of Honor is specifically awarded for acts of gallantry and valor performed with knowledge of the risk involved, above and beyond the call of duty. This year, the Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to Police Officer Anthony Sanchez.
Police Officer Anthony Sanchez - On Monday, May 19th, 1997, Officer Sanchez and his partner were performing a midnight to 8 a.m. tour on patrol when they were directed to a robbery in progress on the tenth floor of a residential building on West 17th Street in Manhattan. Officer Sanchez was confronted on the ninth floor stairwell by a gunman who began firing at him from above, striking him in the neck. Though mortally wounded, Officer Sanchez was able to return fire, striking the perpetrator at least twice. The gunman was subsequently apprehended in the building basement. Officer Sanchez died as a result of his wounds.
The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest honor awarded in the force. The Combat Cross is granted to members of the service who successfully and intelligently perform an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life.
The New York City Police Department Medal for Valor is conferred upon police officers for outstanding acts of personal bravery at imminent hazard to life, or for outstanding community service.
The Police Department's most recent crime statistics show a decline in overall crime citywide of almost 50 percent in the last five years. The statistics include a 70 percent decline in murder.