Top NYPD brass joined families of fallen NYPD officers on Wednesday in Battery Park City to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice through the unveiling of the Memorial Wall.
While the Memorial Wall located on Liberty Street and South End Avenue in Lower Manhattan was first established in 1997 in order to honor the men and women of the NYPD who have lost their lives over the years, the wall underwent an expansion over the summer of 2022 to ensure every member of service can be remembered. On April 26, the memorial was officially unveiled in front of family members who wore stickers depicting the faces of their loved ones.
“Some served during the September 11 attacks and its aftermath, losing their lives for their participation in the largest rescue and recovery operation in our city’s history. Some served during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told the gathered crowd at the ceremony. “When we say we never forget, it is not a motto, it is not a catchphrase, it is not a slogan. It is simply who we are.”
Seventy-seven names were added to the memorial of the 1,068 which date back over a century ago. The wall is maintained by Battery Park City Authority.
“The authority completed an expansion of the memorial to enable us to continue this enduring tribute to officers who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Battery Park City Authority CEO B.J. Jones said. “We remain grateful for all those who have served and continue to do so.”
The wall was unveiled in front of family members who lovingly ran their hands along the names of the deceased. Top cop Sewell joined first Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban in slowly reading the names of those taken too soon.
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