Slain NYPD detective gets co-named street
Jamaica residents, leaders and family honor ‘pillar of the community’
The family of slain NYPD Detective Keith L. Williams celebrates a street co-naming in his honor in Jamaica. Courtesy of Miller’s offi ce
BY BILL PARRY
Jamaica honored a local
legend over the weekend as
elected officials, community
leaders and the family of late
NYPD Detective Keith L.
Williams came together at a
street co-naming ceremony
near the public park that already
bears his name.
Earlier this year, the City
Council passed legislation
which included the proposal
by Councilman I. Daneek
Miller to co-name the street
corner at 172nd Street and
Liberty Avenue in memory of
Detective Williams who was a
community fixture who tragically
lost his life while in the
line of duty.
“Detective Keith L. Williams
was a pillar of the community,”
Miller said on Sept.
14. “As we honor his legacy
with this street co-naming,
we remember his achievements,
and most significantly,
his commitment to young people
and community development.
This street sign will be
a reminder for generations to
come of Detective Williams’
many accomplishments and
generous spirit.”
Born in 1954, Williams
was a lifelong Jamaica resident
who attended Jamaica
High School, where he played
varsity basketball for four
years. He began his career
in the Department of Correction,
where he worked until
his appointment to the Police
Academy in 1981. He went on
to serve in Brooklyn’s 83rd
Precinct and the Public Morals
Division in Queens.
In 1987, Williams was assigned
to the Queens District
Attorney’s Squad, and during
his eight years of service
there he earned to Excellent
Police Duty Citations.
Outside of work, Williams
spent much of his time giving
back to the community. He
created “Keith’s Roundball
Classics,” and annual basketball
tournament in Liberty
Park, which was later named
for him. He also sponsored
an after-school program
at P.S. 116.
“Detective Keith Williams
exemplified extraordinary
fearlessness, dedication and
service to southeast Queens
and New York City,” Councilman
Donovan Richards said.
“We should continue to honor
him through safe and courageous
acts of service to one
another in our communities.”
In 1989, Williams and his
partner, Detective Richard
Guerzon, were murdered by
a prisoner they were transporting.
Williams was honored
posthumously with the
NYPD’s highest honor: the
Medal of Valor.
“It’s only fitting and right
that we honor Detective Keith
L. Williams with a street conaming,”
state Senator James
Sanders said. “He served
honorably with the NYPD
and paid the ultimate price,
getting killed in the line of
duty. Even though he is not
with us today, Detective Williams’
legacy lives on and we
can all pause and remember
him as we pass this street in
our community. I especially
hope that it gives some solace
to Detective Williams’ family
and friends that he will not
be forgotten.”
Jay “Stoney” Harrison, a
25-year-old career criminal,
was convicted of shooting the
two detectives to death with
a stolen police revolver as
he was being transported to
Rikers Island.
“Detective Keith L. Williams
dedicated his life to public
service, promoting public
safety, and mentoring our
youth, so it is especially tragic
that we lost such a great man
in the line of duty,” Queens
Borough President Melinda
Katz said. “It is therefore
most appropriate that we honor
Detective Wiliams through
this street co-naming. From
this day forward, all who pass
through this intersection will
be reminded of the tireless
dedication to others exhibited
by Detective Williams.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by email at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4538.
TIMESLEDGER is published weekly by Queens CNG LLC, 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY. 11361, (718) 229-0300. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2018. All rights reserved. The newspaper will not be
liable for errors appearing in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, N.Y.. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the TimesLedger C/O News Queens
CNG LLC. 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, N.Y. 11361.
TIMESLEDGER,2 SEPT. 20-26, 2019 QNS.COM
/schnepsmedia.com
link
link
/QNS.COM
