SHEEPSHEAD BAY — The 19th annual Police Appreciation Luncheon, sponsored by the non-for-profit organization Be Proud Inc., was held at the Sky Wise Lounge on Emmons Avenue Dec. 6, honoring several in law enforcement.

Pride and Appreciation awards were given to the following honorees: Chief of Patrol John Chell, Assistant Chief Carlos Valdez, Inspector Gaby Celiba, Inspector Winston Falson and Inspector James King. 

Chief of Police Jeffrey Maddrey; Captain Joseph Antonio of the 61st Precinct; Commanding Officer Charles McEvoy, Patrol Borough in Brooklyn South; and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez made appearances at the event as well.  

Also in attendance were Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse; Councilmember Kalman Yeger; and Theresa Scavo, chairperson of Community Board 15.

Gonzalez, a Brooklyn native and career prosecutor who was honored at last year’s luncheon, presented the award to Chief Carlos Valdez and expressed his gratitude to all the men and women that wear the uniform.

“We have the best police force in the United States hands down,” Gonzalez said. “The work that we’ve done in New York City, bringing crime down from when I first started working as a prosecutor in the 1990s, is tremendous. It’s so important that Be Proud is doing this.” 

Gonzalez added that, “Every community must feel that the NYPD cares about them and their safety. Today, as district attorney, I want to say thank you to everyone that has had a hand in making our city safe.” 

Alex Zhorov, chairman and president of Be Proud, Inc., pointed out that this event is special because it’s one of the organization’s few events that solely showcases the NYPD.

“There are not enough words to express our gratitude for the service of every single police officer that selflessly patrols the city of New York every day,” Zhorov said. “Thank you for your tireless work. We honor and appreciate you being the guardians of our city. Your courage and resilience inspires us all.”

“This is the least we can do for them,” Zhorov continued. “It’s just a small gesture. And I would hope that after today someone might take the time to thank an officer for the hard work that they do should they see one on the street.”

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