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| DA Charles Hynes Honoring New York's Finest Finest |
The announcement, which was made at the Brooklyn Law School, mentioned members of the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, Kings County District Attorney’s Office, New York City Department of Correction, New York State Unified Court System, and the Bridge and Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association. The twenty were honored for their bravery, diligence, dedication to their jobs and concern and involvement in the community.
"The officers recognized at today’s ceremony are extraordinary men and women who represent the best law enforcement officers in the country," Hynes said. "They play a significant role in keeping Brooklyn safe, sometimes risking their own lives in the process. I am proud to honor these outstanding officers.”
Three of the officers honored were Lieutenant Joseph Smith, Sergeant Phillip Berfond and Police Officer Dale Stone. All three are from Transit District 34 of the NYPD Transit Bureau. During Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 the three hurried to Coney Island to assist three colleagues whose patrol van was stuck in the rapidly rising water flooding all around them. The rescuers broke the passenger window of the van and placed the officers in a rowboat. As the six were leaving the scene they came across six other people with a dog trapped on top of a number of cars. One of those people was rescued on the spot, while the officers waited with the rest of the people until help arrived from their Transit District. Stone, Berfond and Smith all went to Maimonides Hospital to be treated for hypothermia. They made a rapid recovery and were soon released.
