The NYPD honored on Tuesday numerous transit cops who, police brass say, performed acts of heroism in and out of the subway system.
Chief of Transit Michael Kemper organized the first Transit Medal Day under his command, and the first to encompass all transit districts in several years. Coming in the wake of several high-profile crimes rocked the subway system, including several deadly shootings, Kemper thanked his cops while telling them to “ignore the noise.”
Taking place at the NYPD Academy in Queens, officers were recognized for everything from rescuing straphangers from train tracks, stopping profuse bleeding, catching pickpockets, and cuffing criminals bringing weapons into the subway system.
“Transit officers are our city’s unsung heroes. They work day in and day out to help keep our subway system safe,” NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella said, who joined Kemper in presenting the awards.
Just prior to each presentation, attendees got a chance to view dramatic body worn camera footage showcasing officers talking down individuals looking to take their own life; performing CPR on unconscious individuals, and participating in foot pursuits of criminals both above and below ground.
Kemper stood in awe of the clips, stating that seeing officers going above and beyond the call of duty made him proud to wear the uniform.
“Our cops do tremendous work. A lot of what’s done isn’t recognized, it isn’t seen,” Kemper told amNewYork Metro. “Cops do so much more than just fight crime. These are just a few examples. Today is just a small snippet.”
One of the most bizarre incidents for which transit officers were recognized involved the arrest of a man who was caught bringing a sword into the subway station. Police Officers George Bermudez and Randy Vasquez spied the suspect with the weapon inside of Port Authority Bus Terminal station last year.
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Vasquez said remembering first spying the wannabe samurai. “He had a sock over it covering it but it was clearly a sword.”
Upon the arrest, the pair found the suspect to be carrying a cache of weapons, including an array of knives, a hatchet, a large firearm, and even a ninja star.
“We didn’t know what his intentions were with all these weapons, so my partner and I wanted to get him off the streets as soon as possible,” Officer Bermudez said.
