“When their tours are completed and the day is over, guide them safely to their loved ones” – From the National Peace Officers Prayer
Celebrated annually throughout the nation on May 15, National Peace Officer Memorial Day honors federal, state and local officers who were killed or disabled in the line of duty. This holiday is observed in conjunction with Police Week.
Last Friday, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College’s Public Safety Department held its fifth annual ceremony to acknowledge the sacrifice of all fallen or injured law enforcement personnel, as well as to recognize the dedication and service of their own colleagues.
Hostos President Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said he was honored to join the Public Safety Department in marking such a meaningful occasion. In addition to saluting those who made the ultimate sacrifice, he expressed his gratitude to all members of the College’s Public Safety Department.
“You really are teachers. Through your professionalism, you teach our students and our faculty how to act and react to situations,” President Matos Rodríguez said. “You are also wonderful ambassadors for Hostos, because you are often the first people the public sees when they visit. You all do a remarkable job representing Hostos, while creating a welcoming atmosphere. You are a crucial part of the College, and I am proud to recognize you today.”
The Department’s Chief Arnaldo Bernabe spoke about the history of National Peace Officer Memorial Day, and dedicated the Hostos event to the memory of Peace Officer Sgt. Griselde Camacho, who worked at Hunter College and was killed in the massive East Harlem explosion in March 2014.
Chief Bernabe also mentioned that in 2013, 115 police officers throughout the United States lost their lives in the line of duty, adding that, to date, 47 more officers have made the ultimate sacrifice this year.
Praising everyone in his department for their dedication, professionalism and sacrifice, Chief Bernabe and Lt. George London presented the following awards:
Sergeant of the Year: Victor Guzmán
Patrol Officer of the Year: Fred Dávila
Campus Security Assistant of the Year: Yessenia Peña
Perfect Attendance: Fred Dávila, Kevin Johnson
Other attendees included Hostos vice presidents Ana M. Carrión-Silva, Carlos Molina, Nathaniel Cruz and Provost Carmen Coballes-Vega.
Fabian Wander, Director of the Hostos Wellness Center, served as master of ceremonies and was assisted by Rafael Torres, who sang the National Anthem; Fern Chan, who played the flute; and Father James Sheehan, who provided a moment of reflection.
Stay connected to the Public Safety Department at Hostos:
http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/publicsafety/
https://www.facebook.com/HostosPeaceOfficers
https://twitter.com/HCCPublicSafety
About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique "Student Success Coaching Unit" provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.
Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and five certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to CUNY's four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's leading urban public university, which serves more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.