February 2, 2020 Your Neighborhood — Your News®
LOCAL
CL ASSIFIEDS
PAGE 11
GENEROUS DONATION
Sister of late NYPD deputy chief gives $10,000 to Bayside hospital in his honor
BY JENNA BAGCAL
The sister of the late NYPD Deputy
Chief Steven J. Silks recently donated to a
Bayside hospital in his honor.
During the NYPD’s annual holiday
visit to St. Mary’s Hospital last December,
Cindy Dumais presented a $10,000 check
in support of the hospital’s vital services.
During his life, Silks enjoyed spending
time with the children at the holiday event
and would often visit St. Mary’s to spread
“joy and compassion.”
“We are very grateful for the generous
donation made by Cindy Dumais and her
family on behalf of Policy Deputy Chief
Steven Silks,” said Sean Lally, vice president
of development, strategic planning
and external affairs. “Officer Silks was
beloved among the staff and children here
at St. Mary’s and we miss his cheerful and
warm spirit. These funds will directly
benefit the children and care programs
that he supported and cherished.”
A month before his mandatory retirement,
Silks died in June 2019 from an apparent
self-inflicted gunshot wound. His
39-year career with the NYPD began in
1980 and he was promoted to deputy chief
in December 2006. As deputy chief, he was
the executive officer of Patrol Borough
Queens North.
“He was a dedicated lifelong public servant,
an avid outdoorsman, a marathoner,
a mountain climber and most importantly,
he was a friend,” said former Police Commissioner
James O’Neill back in December
.O
thers like 112th Precinct Community
Council President Heidi Harrison Chain
remembered Silk as “a charming and very
intelligent man who loved the NYPD.”
The $10,000 will go toward important
programs and services at St. Mary’s, the
only provider of pediatric long-term and
rehabilitative care in the region since
1870. Hospital staff and patients grew familiar
with Silks through his regular visits,
which strengthened the ties between
St. Mary’s and the NYPD. Cindy Dumas (first row on the right) presents a check to St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside.
Courtesy of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children
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