After a four-year hiatus, the Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church at 97 Lincoln Place in Park Slope, revived an annual tradition that began in 2013: honoring officers of the 78th Precinct with the “Police Officer of the Year” award.
Senior Pastor Richard Johnson established the award after officers from the 78th Precinct helped him during a terrifying incident at the church.
The award serves as Johnson’s way of thanking the NYPD for their positive work, which he says often goes unnoticed, with the department receiving attention only when there is a problem.
“[NYPD officers] do so many things behind the scenes, and we just need to say, ‘Thank you,'” Johnson told Brooklyn Paper. “So the real gist of the event is to be able to just take that opportunity and recognize all [police officers] do.”
Johnson has not held an award ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but he plans to revive the tradition of honoring New York City’s finest.
“We’re trying to resurrect the event, not only for the NYPD but also for the community,” Johnson said. “It’s recognizing the rank and file that are among us all the time that we need to say, ‘You know what, thank you for adding to our lives.'”
This year’s recipient was recently retired NYPD Detective 1st Grade Brian Laffey. At the awards ceremony on Nov. 17, Johnson noted that Laffey skipped the fanfare of the NYPD’s usual retirement walkout ceremony, opting instead for an “Irish Goodbye.”
“I didn’t realize that an ‘Irish Goodbye’ was a thing. There’s only one time he ever gave me any problems, and that’s when it’s time to honor him,” Johnson said during his address to the congregation, which included Laffey, his wife, NYPD Detective Tracy Laffey, and officers from the 78th Precinct and Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Community Affairs Section.
“Apparently, Mr. Laffey had this plan that he was just going to slip out the back door, and no one would notice. What about that? It’s a testimony to his humility,” Johnson continued. “We would like to say we’re sad to see you go, but as that next chapter of your life begins, we wish you the very best. You’ve been more than community relations; you’ve been a friend to our church [and] to me.”
Laffey, a Staten Island native, began his career with the NYPD in March 2000. He was first assigned to the 123rd Precinct in Staten Island, then to the Community Affairs Bureau at the 78th Precinct in Brooklyn. In March 2023, Laffey joined the Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Community Affairs Section and recently retired after almost 25 years of service.
Addressing Pastor Johnson and the congregation, Laffey acknowledged the long-standing friendship between him and Johnson, who always provided a source of strength. While Laffey appreciated the accolades, he emphasized that the award also belonged to the NYPD officers “who serve tirelessly, day in and day out, protecting our community.”
“Police work is often challenging, but it’s made so much lighter by the support of communities like this one, which stands by us, prays for us, and keeps us lifted in faith,” said Laffey, who received the Assistant Chief Patrick D. Brennan Cop of the Year Award in October — one of the NYPD’s most prized honors.
At the following banquet, P.O. Brian Ferguson of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Community Affairs told Brooklyn Paper that he owed Laffey “a lot,” describing the retired cop as a great inspiration and “one of the best cops” he knows.
“[Laffey] is definitely going to be missed,” Ferguson said. “He built a lot of bonds in the community, and we kind of all have to follow the footsteps that he already laid out for us.”
