Law enforcement memorial wreath laying ceremony at Fort Hamilton brings out top brass

A solemn law enforcement wreath laying ceremony brought Brooklyn’s top cops to the Fort Hamilton Army Base on Friday, May 18 to salute their fallen brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty. They joined top military brass and community leaders in honoring law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and serving.

Chief Robert Baker served as master of ceremonies. After the presentation of the colors and an invocation by Garrison Chaplain Donald Ehrke, Fort Hamilton commanding officer Colonel Peter Sicoli recognized the families of the fallen who were at the ceremony.

Elected officials and civic leaders in attendance included State Senator Marty Golden, Assemblymember Peter Abbate, New York State Division of Homeland Security Commissioner Roger Parrino, United States Marshal Michael Greco, FDNY Captain Brian Gorman and 68th Precinct commanding officer Captain Robert Conwell.

Attending the ceremony were the families of fallen NYPD servicemen James McNaughton (United States Army Reserve), Joseph Lemm (United States Air Force), Leon Taylor (New York National Guard) and Steven McDonald (United States Navy).

The entire McDonald family attended the ceremony, including McDonald’s wife Patti Ann McDonald and their son NYPD Sergeant Conor McDonald.

Steven McDonald was a detective who, at age 29, was shot three times in Central Park on July 12, 1986 by 15-year-old suspected bike thief Shavod James. McDonald survived but was left quadriplegic and lived his life in a wheelchair. He was 59 when he died on January 6, 2017.

A presidential proclamation was delivered by Sergeant Patrick Trenton, directorate of emergency services, designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. The president also called for all flags to fly at half-mast on May 15.

NYPD Police Commissioner James O’Neill was scheduled to be the keynote speaker but was unable to attend. NYPD Deputy Chief Charles Scholl delivered the keynote address. Scholl is a 39-year veteran of the NYPD and is currently assigned as the executive officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.

“Any time I set foot on Fort Hamilton, I’m in awe,” said Scholl. “As the son of a World War II veteran and the brother of a Vietnam veteran, I know the sacrifices that were made.”

President John F. Kennedy started National Police Week in 1962. “This ceremony means a lot to the people who are still here,” Scholl said. “The wreath is a symbol of eternity and it’s a circle that we won’t forget.” He called it a way to keep the memories of the fallen in our hearts.

NYPD Lieutenant Michael Flemming and Police Officer Darrell Clark made the presentation of the wreath. They carried it to the front of the room as NYPD ceremonial bagpiper Charles McEvoy performed “Amazing Grace,” followed by a reading of the names of the fallen.

William McNaughton and his wife Michelle presented a statue in memory of their son James McNaughton, the first officer killed in the Iraq War. McNaughton was shot in the neck by a sniper while monitoring a guard tower outside a camp near Baghdad on August 2, 2005. He was 26 years old.

McNaughton said that his son’s memorial statue was especially meaningful knowing that it would forever be a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice his son made in the line of duty.

“This is a great way to honor the memory of fallen law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty,” Golden said. “My prayers go out to the McNaughton, Leon, Lemm and McDonald families for their loss and sacrifice.”

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