I have been a NYC Police Officer for the last 11 years. Working the first 10 years in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx, Then transferring to the 115 Precinct in Queens. I have spent the entire time on patrol, Out in the street were I feel at home. I have been into computers now for some 9 years,When I bought a 8088 with 2 floppy drives and a c/a monitor, No hard drive and most of all no windows! Back then there was no friend to call that had a computer that could help you out of a jam, So it was mostly "Learn while you earn". After a million or so crashes and several bottles of aspirin later I kinda got the knack of things.
This Memorial has been a labor of love, I really wanted to do a good job. But I didn't realize how important this subject was until I received a Package from a fellow Cop at work containing a Picture Of P.O Vitale( The first Officer featured by me)and some other Newspaper articles and other personal items from Gabe's brother Jim Vitale. It was then that I realize how important it was to do the best I could for the families of these brave Men and Women. It is also sad how quickly we all forget these people for what they did to make us safe. In order for me to finish doing the stories of NYPD Officers Killed in the Line of Duty It would take me nearly 50 years, If I did one a month. And that's if not 1 was killed during that 50 Year period.(To date 567 have been killed)
Many times We read the Newspaper or watch the T.V. news and see negative stories about the Police. We all recognize that Vietnam vets and the few WW2 vets Left out there were exposed to some horrible sites. But never does anyone acknowledge What our police go through and see everyday.They are at war everyday and see things that would bring most of us to tears. Yet we expect them to not be affected by this and would be appalled if they even cried! I'am not making excuses for anyone's behavior nor do I condone any behavior that shows Police Officers in a bad light, But I just ask you to understand. And if you are a Cop then understanding the stress yourself is half the battle. Enuff said.
The page is up only a few days now and already it has received several awards(That I am very proud of) Also I received lots of letters from Cops and civilians across the country. These are my payment for all the work I must do to make this page possible. But the best award so far, I received this morning via e-mail from a person I never meet before it came as a total surprise to me. Please read it below and some of the other awards this page has received.
TONY, I WAS PLEASED TO SEE YOUR PAGE ABOUT THE SLAIN NY CITY POLICE OFFICERS. I WAS ESPECIALLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE FIRST OFFICER YOU GAVE TRIBUTE TO WAS GABE VITALE. GABE WAS MY UNCLE. IT HAS BEEN SO MANY YEARS SINCE HIS DEATH IT IS NICE TO SEE THAT OTHERS STILL REMEMBER HIM BECAUSE HE WAS INDEED A VERY SPECIAL PERSON. I LIVED IN VERMONT AT THE TIME BUT HAPPENED TO BE IN NY FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND REMEMBER VIVIDLY THAT EARLY MORNING PHONE CALL FROM THE HOSPITAL. MY FATHER AND I GOT THERE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES BUT HE HAD JUST PASSED AWAY BY THEN. IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING FOR ME BECAUSE I AM AN ICU RN AND THEY HAD REFUSED TO LET ME SEE HIM THE NIGHT EARLIER BECAUSE I WAS NOT ONE OF HIS CHILDREN, (GOD CHILD DIDN'T EVEN COUNT). THE WORST PART WAS HAVING TO GO TO MY GRANDPARENTS HOUSE ON THE WAY HOME AND TELL THEM ON CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING THAT HE WAS GONE. IT WAS SO UNFAIR BECAUSE MY COUSINS HAD LOST THEIR REAL MOTHER ABOUT 10 YEARS BEFORE THAT. MY DAD HAD A ROUGH TIME BECAUSE IT WAS HIS ONLY BROTHER, BUT MY GRANDFATHER NEVER WAS THE SAME. GABE WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HIS CHILDREN. THE BOYS HAVE GOOD PROFESSIONS, LOVING WIVES AND TOGETHER GABE HAS 5 BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN THAT HE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO MEET.
THANK YOU, LAURA VITALE-DE ROSA E MAIL: LVD 25@aol.com
These are some of the Awards I received from various Police Internet sites. You can link to them by clicking on any of the awards.
I think that says it all. Again thanks for your time and check back soon too see if I have made any changes and to show your support. Also pass on the address to your friends and family, I'd really like to see as many hits on the counter as possible. E-mail me via the link with any comments you may have. Stay safe & wear your vests.
This Page last updated on 4/9/97
Thanks again for your help and interest in this page.
If you have comments or suggestions, e-mail me at Tonynypd@earthlink.net
The song your listening to is"Runaway train" by Soul Asylum
