The force is proud of Officer Fisher

He is a well-liked and respected fixture on the streets of Kew Gardens, but after 25 years of “Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect” in the 102nd Precinct, Police Officer Jeff Fisher is set to retire at the end of the month.
With a reputation as a down-to-earth, modest cop who truly cares – and who patrols the streets on scooter – he gets a little misty eyed when he speaks of his impending retirement on July 31.
“I love it. I love being a cop,” he told The Courier. “I found a home and I never left.”
Fisher, 45, a born-and-bred Queens boy, joined the 102nd Precinct in July of 1985.
“I really wanted to be a conductor for the Transit Authority,” he said. “Growing up, six or seven kids on my block went on to civil service, to the NYPD or FDNY.”
Inspired by his father and grandfather – both of whom proudly served in the NYPD – Fisher went to the Police Academy at age 20.
After graduating – and being assigned his grandfather’s badge number, 12606 – he trained with NSU 15 (Neighborhood Stabilization Unit) in Brooklyn, and then was assigned to the 102 as a “beat cop.”
Twenty-five years ago, he said, things were a little different, not only within the NYPD, but throughout the neighborhoods served by the 102.
“There were no steady tours when I started, no CompStat [a statistical device by which the NYPD measures crimes], and there used to be 18 or 20 cops on the beat,” said Fisher.
He said he also witnessed the demographic changes in Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill East, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, and parts of Ozone Park over the years.
His most difficult days on the job, he said, came in the aftermath of 9/11.
“I went down the third day,” Fisher said, explaining that he was stationed at Jamaica Hospital initially, because it was thought the wounded might be brought there.
For the first month, he said, he worked 12-hours-a-day, six- or seven-days-a-week.
“You’re so numb, you don’t believe it happened.”
He was also assigned to patrol landmarks in the 102, such as mosques.
After more than two decades on the force, Fisher’s memories – both good and bad – are many.
“Since I’ve been here, there have been no cops killed in the 102,” he said gratefully.
But, he does remember the slaying of Police Officer Edward Byrne, as well other Finest who have fallen.
The best part of the job, he said, has remained the camaraderie within the ranks – and the fulfillment he gets from helping people.
“The NYPD is like a second family,” he said. “The cops here do a good job. It’s a tight community and the cops care about each other. I’m definitely going to miss the people.”
For his years of hard work and dedication, Fisher has been awarded two commendations, five Meritorious Duty medals, 28 Excellent Police Duty medals and a World Trade Center medal.
“He has been great,” said Sergeant Mike Narbutt. “Everything I asked him to do he would do. [He puts] the job above himself.”
Fisher is unsure as to what he will be doing come August 1, but he does know that he will be spending some well-deserved time with his wife of 23 years.
Still, he admits, “The 31st will be a difficult day.”