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QUEENS WEEKLY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2019
Jamaica honors slain cop and ‘pillar of community’
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 co-naming,”
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 conaming.
From this day forward,
all who pass through
this intersection will be reminded
of the tireless dedication
to others exhibited
by Detective Williams.”
The family of slain NYPD Detective Keith L. Williams celebrates a street co-naming in his honor
in Jamaica. Courtesy of Miller’s office