Rotary celebrates cops on the job

For their efforts in apprehending criminals, thwarting crime and keeping the streets safe, the men and women of Patrol Borough Queens South (PBQS) were once again feted by the Jamaica Rotary.
“We are very, very proud of this Rotary Club,” said District representative Gabor Karsai, who noted that the Jamaica Rotary is the only one to honor the NYPD each month.
In the 113th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Miltiadis Marmara honored two officers who prevented a shooting.
On July 30, a little after midnight, Officers Kenneth Sepulveda and Christopher Mazzolla responded to Jamaica Hospital for a slashing. The pair had a feeling that the suspects were out for revenge, so they went to the scene of the crime, where they stopped two individuals that had been involved. In their possession the officers found a loaded gun.
“I can’t thank them enough,” said a proud Marmara, who noted that Sepulveda had once before received the Edward R. Byrne Memorial Cop of the Month Award from the Rotary.
Deputy Inspector Charles McEvoy next honored “just a couple” of the hard-working men and women in Queens South.
Officers Mike Santos and Marc Costa were on routine patrol at 184th Street and Jamaica Avenue – a commercial strip with a row of bars where there had been violence before — on June 11. They saw a commotion outside and were told someone had been shot. The officers observed a male fleeing the scene and promptly apprehended him. The 32-year-old, according to McEvoy, was one of five suspects responsible for shooting the 29-year-old male victim multiple times.
“It was great observation and relentless pursuit,” said McEvoy.
Executive Officer, Captain Martin Briffa of the 102nd Precinct said that Police Officers Louis Soto and Richard Sheridan were able to stop a robbery/home invasion at 131st Street on August 12.
The two went to the scene, where they met the homeowner outside, who told them his son was in the house. The son had actually texted his father that they were being robbed. Soto and Sheridan were able to arrest three suspects; inside the home they discovered two guns, three ounces of marijuana and scales.
“Usually home invasions are a very bad thing, but they did great work,” said Briffa, who noted there were no injuries.
And, special presenter, 106th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Brenda Bratcher, said that she was happy “that every month [the Jamaica Rotary] takes the time out to honor us.”
She paid tribute to Officer Jennifer Brown, Conditions Officer, and Jennifer Martinez of the Second Platoon for their work in helping the 102nd Precinct solve a homicide.
It was on August 12 that Brown and Martinez, on their way back from Central Booking, responded to 118th Street and Hillside Avenue for what turned out to be a homicide. The following day they went back to canvass the area and discovered the perp wearing what turned out to be the victim’s shirt. He was arrested and confessed to the crime.
“You guys are doing a great job, I’m really proud,” said Assistant Chief James Secreto of PBQS, who each month comes out to pay tribute to the men and women in blue.