Bushwick Man Helped Cops Get Gunman
The 83rd Precinct Community Council honored, last Tuesday Jan. 28, a neighborhood hero who helped police officers subdue an armed assailant in Bushwick.
After police tackled a gun-toting suspect during a Jan. 16 chase, Osvaldo Valdez, 54, kicked the man’s gun out of the fray and pinned the perp while cops cuffed him.
“He took the partnership between community and police to a new level,” said Deputy Inspector Anthony Tasso, commanding officer of the 83rd Precinct.
But Valdez downplayed his role.
“People call me something I don’t like that much-a hero-while [police] give their lives to clean up the streets,” he said.
But that day, Valdez showed heroism isn’t just for the NYPD.
As Police Officers John Essig and Paul Palminteri pursued the suspect down Bushwick Avenue near Montieth Street, the perp turned and fired off a round.
When Valdez saw the suspect take aim at the young officers, he sprung into action.
“That could have been my boy,” Valdez said fighting off tears. “My son is 24 years old.”
Politicians and NYPD brass were on hand Tuesday to present Valdez with a bevy of awards.
“When we have citizens who do that, it means so much to us,” said NYPD Chief of Department Phillip Banks III.
Amid the celebration, some reminded the crowd to leave policing to the NYPD.
“Now, we don’t want too many vigilantes,” City Council Member Antonio Reynoso quipped.
Law enforcement officials and lawmakers lauded Essig and Palminteri for not firing their own weapons.
“They were taking gunshots and had the wherewithal not to fire back,” Reynoso said.
“Those officers had angels around them that day,” said the precinct council’s president, Barbara Smith.
“If I had to do it again for any citizen, I would,” Valdez said.
Cop of the Month
The precinct also honored P.O.
