Chief Patrick Brennan’s “Cop of the Year” award goes to Ridgeite Lt. James Woods

Members of the NYPD can only receive the Chief Patrick Brennan’s “Cop of the Year” award once in their lifetime.

This year, Lieutenant James Woods took home the achievement award on October 27 after Police Commissioner James O’Neill presented it to him at the ceremony, which took place at Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, which is headquartered at East Flatbush’s 67th Precinct.

Woods, 59, who joined the NYPD in January 1981, felt both overwhelmed and gratified at the same time.

“It’s a very special award and especially since I knew Chief Brennan,” he said. “He was a great chief and he’s remembered fondly by members of the police department, his family and friends.”

Woods said he believes Brennan would’ve been very happy.

“I think he would’ve given me a warm handshake and a great smile and said ‘keep up the good work,’” he added.

Woods told the people whom he works with about the award first before announcing it to his family.

“Personally, it’s very gratifying that my peers would recognize me,” Woods said. “I just want to make sure I continue to strive to that standard and that I can serve the people.”

He also said receiving the award wasn’t something that he consciously thought of. Instead, selecting the award’s recipients used to be his job until his transfer in February 2015 from Brooklyn South to the NYPD’s Police Commissioner Liaison Unit.

However, this year, Brooklyn South Commander Chief Steven Powers chose Woods as the recipient.

Woods said he joined the police force for several reasons. Besides wanting to help people and make a difference, he also loved being outdoors. In addition, his father, who worked in the Police Department, exposed him to the field.

“I enjoyed listening to his description of the job when he was working,” he said, “and it was attractive to me so I decided to join.”

Woods started out as a patrol officer in East Flatbush. After he passed his test, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1985. Then, he moved on to the 71st Precinct in Crown Heights before his transfer to the 72nd Precinct, where he said he had fun training rookies in the field.

In 1994, he was promoted to lieutenant at the 67th Precinct. From there, he went on to the 61st Precinct in Sheepshead Bay and then ended up in the Police Commissioner Liaison Unit.

His motto as a police officer is to “treat others the way you would love to treat yourself.

“I just feel very fortunate receiving this award,” he said.