Detective honored for resolving hostage situation

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly has presented Detective Michael Cook with a Certificate of Recognition for his role in the surrender last month of an emotionally disturbed man who held hostage a three-year-old boy for several hours inside an apartment in the confines of Astoria’s 114th Precinct.
Kelly was joined by Chief of Department Joseph Esposito, Chief of Patrol Robert Giannelli, Chief Charles Kammerdener, Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Division; and Inspector James Dean, Commanding Officer of the Emergency Services Unit.
“NYPD Emergency Service officers respond to tens of thousands of cases involving emotionally disturbed individuals every year,” Kelly said. “The fact that the vast majority of them are resolved without injury to the distraught person is due to the exceptional police work exemplified by Detective Cook in this situation. He and his colleagues are to be commended for a job well-done, which often goes unrecognized.”
The certificate presented to Cook reads:
“On February 22, 2008, Detective Michael Cook, assigned to ESU #8, was part of a team that responded to a barricaded, emotionally disturbed male holding a three-year-old boy. For seven hours Detective Cook continued talking and eventually won the trust of the barricaded male. After talking with the E.D.P., and continuing to gain his trust, the E.D.P. finally surrendered. Detective Cook’s ‘never give up’ attitude was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Emergency Service Unit.”
Cook is a 12-year veteran of the department.