It was a tall salute from one group of heroes to another.
Brooklyn veterans making up the Kings County chapter of the American Legion gathered at Seth Low Junior High School, 99 Avenue P, last week to honor their neighborhood crime−fighters who have made a difference in the communities they protect and serve.
During the special Law and Order Awards night, accolades were bestowed on Sergeant Anthony Guadagno and police officers Matthew Brennan and Anthony Medina for rescuing two men struggling to stay afloat in the churning water of West 19th Street near the Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island.
American Legion members also honored members of the 61st Precinct anti−crime team, who took down a robbery crew responsible for a series of bodega raids, as well as Sergeant Dennis Lane and Police Officer Robert Regent of the 66th Precinct, who were responsible for apprehending two men armed with a Tariq 9−mm handgun.
Regent, cops from the 66th Precinct noted, is currently abroad, serving his country in another capacity as a member of the U.S. infantry in Iraq.
Other reservists honored included Police Officer David Barker of the 69th Precinct who was responsible for thwarting a hijacking of a DHL delivery truck on East 86th Street in Canarsie last year, Captain Milt Marmara, his commanding officer explained.
A special honor was bestowed upon Police Officer Susan Porcello of the 68th Precinct, who was credited for not only getting medical attention for a Bay Ridge World War II veteran in a time of need, but for also befriending the 84−year−old, making him “her grandpa” and putting him up in a nursing home as well as, sadly, making sure his wish of being buried next to his mother was honored – at the officer’s own expense −− when he passed away.
“She tended to his funeral with great care and attention, so much so that she arranged for a Marine Corps color guard to be present,” Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez explained in his request to have Porcello honored on Law and Order Awards night. “More importantly, she made a hero’s last day bearable.”
Lieutenant James Woods of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South’s Community Affairs Unit said that the recipients truly “feel the value” of these awards.
