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Dan Donovan awards badge of bravery to Eastern District of New York marshal

February 21, 2018 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Federal Marshal Trevor McPolin (second from right), from the Eastern District of New York, was given the Congressional Badge of Bravery by U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (right) during a ceremony. Also pictured are Chief Judge Dora Irizarry and U.S. Marshall Bryan Mullee. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese
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A deputy U.S. marshal, who helped to save the life of a firefighter during a gunfight in Staten Island, was honored by U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan with a Congressional Badge of Bravery for his heroic act in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Downtown Brooklyn on Tuesday.

Deputy Marshal Trevor McPolin was awarded the badge in front of a courtroom filled with his family, coworkers and friends as Donovan, who was holding his young daughter AniellaRose, throughout the presentation.

“You didn’t take this job to become brave, you were brave when you took this job,” Donovan said to McPolin. “So many times we neglect to show our appreciation for what people do for our country, our city and our community.

“My baby lives in that community where you took that action that day,” Donovan continued. “I am personally grateful for what you did which is why I am honored to recognize your act of bravery.”

Rep. Dan Donovan with his daughter AniellaRose Donovan.

Donovan was joined in the ceremony by Hon. Dora Irizarry, chief judge of the EDNY; Acting U.S. Marshal Bryan T. Mullee; and Chief Inspector Ed McMahon, assistant commander of the U.S. Marshall Services, New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

“I love this job, I love doing this job every day and I love the people I work with,” McPolin said. “I consider them family and friends. They mean a lot to me. I’m blessed to have this job. I’m blessed to have this family. I live a good life.”

From left: Hon. Eric N. Vitaliano, Hon. Dora Irizarry, Inna Bulaevsky, Trevor McPolin, Ivette Santiago and Rep. Dan Donovan.

On Aug. 14, 2015, McPolin, along with his partner Johnny O’Brien, and their team that included other deputy U.S. marshals and NYPD officers, were dispatched to apprehend Garland Tyree, a fugitive and a known high-ranking member of the Bloods street gang, who was wanted for violation of supervised release, according to Mullee.

“The facts of this case display the heroism and dedication of duty of Trevor McPolin and his team members that day,” Mullee said. “When the bullets started flying most people would have retreated. Trevor held his position. When the firefighter collapsed in the line of fire, there was no hesitation. Trevor, at great risk to his personal safety, rescued the fallen firefighter.”

Chief Inspector Ed McMahon, assistant commander of the U.S. Marshall Services, New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Mullee recalled that when marshals arrived at Garland’s address, an occupant of the apartment refused to open the door. He said that they eventually got a key from the landlord, but when they opened the door, the apartment quickly filled with white smoke.

Marshals contacted FDNY and after firefighters arrived one attempted to enter the apartment against orders from the marshals, officials said. Shortly after, the occupant discharged several rounds from a submachine gun, which struck the firefighter twice. The firefighter retreated from the apartment, but collapsed in front of McPolin and his team, who then grabbed the wounded firefighter and pulled him to safety.

The ordeal ended when Garland was killed during an exchange of gunfire with NYPD’s Emergency Response Team, and the firefighter is expected to make a full recovery, according to officials.

*What Trevor and his team did was exceptional,” said McMahon. “They operated that day to apprehend Garland Tyree with textbook precision. They went and did exactly what they were trained to do. When that smoke filled the apartment, they immediately provided for a perimeter and called the SWAT team.”

McPolin’s partner was previously honored with the Congressional Badge of Bravery by Rep. Kathleen Rice during a ceremony on Dec. 29 at Rice’s Garden City office.

 

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