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Last week, President Eric Adams held an event paying tribute to NYPD Chief Gerald Nelson, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North and Chief Owen Monaghan, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South. This tribute event at Borough Hall was an opportunity for elected officials and communal leaders to honor these two respected and life-long dedicated public servants.

Some of the elected officials who participated were Council Member Chaim Deutsch, Council Members Laurie Cumbo, Mathieu Eugene, and Stephen Levin, and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein. Many Jewish community leaders attended the event, including Rabbi Abe Friedman, Rabbi Moshe Indig, Rabbi Berish Freilach, Rabbi Yanky Itzkowitz, Rabbi Abe Rosenberg, and many others.

Additionally, the event was graced with the presence of the NYPD Chief of Department James O’Neil, as well as many other NYPD Chiefs.

James O’Neil addressed the gathering and said “Somewhere in your life as young men when you were young, you made a decision to do something good and right.,”

“I don’t know the words to express my thanks for what you’ve done. You were always there for the community and this is what we need to aspire to.”

Boro President Adams said. “Chief Nelson and Chief Monaghan made it clear they understood challenges we dealt with as elected officials and whenever we called their office, they were extremely responsive. I asked them if we could acknowledge their years of service and I’m so glad they agreed,” he said. “It’s only fitting to take a moment and acknowledge their success. And when you look at the numbers, crime has decreased over the years.”

Community leader Rabbi Abe Friedman, who was first to speak, praised Chief Monaghan as an “exemplary leader”.

Council Member Deutsch, who serves on the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, praised the long and illustrious careers of Gerald Nelson, who has served for 41 years and Owen Monaghan, who served for 34 years. Chief Gerald Nelson, the only Borough Commander promoted to the rank of three-star chief by Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, is well known for his community oriented initiatives which dramatically lowered homicides during the years he served as Commander of Brooklyn North. Chief Nelson also spearheaded a task force that worked together with clergy members and youth to help stop gang activity and violence.

As Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Chief Monaghan was responsible for the sharp crime decreases in his part of Brooklyn as well. Prior to commanding Brooklyn South, Chief Monaghan served as the Executive Officer of the Transit Bureau, where he was the number two person under Chief of Transit Joseph Fox. Chief Monaghan was a tremendous manager who ensured the safety of the 5.2 million people who rode the NYC Transit System daily.

“Chief Nelson and Chief Monaghan have done superlative jobs and achieved tremendous results in their respective positions throughout their tenure with the NYPD,” said Council Member Chaim Deutsch, “I am proud to join in celebrating both of their successful careers in the Police Department, and I congratulate them on their retirement. They have made immeasurable contributions to our City’s quality of life, and their accomplishments will long resound throughout our community. I thank our esteemed Borough President, Eric Adams, for organizing this beautiful tribute to these two worthy and outstanding leaders.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)