It was a solemn evening in Maspeth as precincts from across the communities gathered to pay their respects and remember their fallen brothers in blue who were needlessly gunned down over the last few weeks.
Officers from the 104th, 108th and 110th precincts came together with members of Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together (COMET), elected officials, members of Maspeth Federal Savings, and the community at Maspeth Memorial Park on Thursday, July 21, to place wreaths at the Maspeth Memorial in honor of the nine officers who died in the line of duty in Dallas, Baton Rouge and Kansas City.
“I thought it would be a good idea … that we do something in memory of the officers who served and protected their communities and lost their lives,” said Roe Daraio, president of COMET, who put the evening’s event together. “And also give us the opportunity that we can thank the officers in our neighborhoods for taking care of us and protecting us.”
Public Advocate Letitia James, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and Assemblywoman Margaret Markey were on hand to pay their respects and extend their gratitude to the men and women who put their lives on the line each day to protect the communities.
Police officers also took to the podium to thank the communities for always supporting them and working together to make the neighborhoods the safest they can be.
“These communities have always been very committed to their neighborhoods and also been very supportive of our police, and I want to thank you for that support, not only now, but throughout the year and throughout the years,” said Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens North. “We also want to thank you for not only supporting our local police who are assembled here, but also recognizing our fallen brothers in blue from across the country.”
The commanding officers of both the 104th and 108th precincts — Captain Mark Wachter and Deputy Inspector John Travaglia, respectively — also thanked the communities for their continued support of their local police officers, and officers around the country, as well as their participation in community-based organizations such as the precinct community councils and local community groups who help make the neighborhoods safer for everyone.
“We go out every day trying to make peace, trying to respond to your calls for help to make this a better world,” Wachter said. “But you the community also have an obligation, and this community has met that obligation, to be peacemakers also. To work with the police department, to work with each other to solve the problems that happen here. Local organizations like COMET, like G-COP (104COP), who come together. Members of the community come volunteer to help make this place a better community.”
