20 MARCH 5, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Offi cer Mays with the Color Guard. Photos by Dean Moses
104th Pct. Community Council honors
Cop of the Year in Maspeth ceremony
BY DEAN MOSES
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
The expansive hall and aged wood
of the Knockdown Center that is
usually reserved for art pieces
and dancing was transformed on Feb.
27 into a luxurious ballroom in order
to celebrate two heroes: Offi cer Darren
Mays and the 104th Precinct’s Civilian
Observation Patrol (also known as
G-Cop).
Members of the NYPD, their
family, and friends flocked to 52-19
Flushing Ave. for the annual Cop of
the Year fundraiser celebration (all
the proceeds from the raffles and
gala tickets fund the community
council). The dinner is designed to
champion the service of officers
who go above and beyond their call
of duty by making a difference in the
community.
The night commenced with a
stellar rendition of the National
Anthem while a color guard showed
their respect by displaying the flag.
This was followed by speeches from
104th Precinct Community Council
President Len Santoro, Commanding
Officer Captain Victoria C. Perry,
and Chief of Personnel for One Police
Plaza Martin Morales.
“Folks usually ask me: What are
the criteria for selecting the Cop
of the Year? We pick the cops that
embody the spirit of the precinct and
the neighborhood. It’s that simple,
and we hit a home run every time.
So, with that being said, I want to
present the Cop of the Year Award to
Officer Darren Mays,” said Santoro.
Mays is highly regarded in the
community thanks to his strong
work ethic and readiness to aid
others, which ultimately uplifts his
precinct. Mays is also renowned for
keeping and tending to beehives on
the rooftop of the 104th Precinct,
juggling two roles: by night he
patrols the streets protecting the
community while many are at home
sleeping, yet by day he tries to improve
the environment by caring for
our natural pollinators.
“I want to thank the community,
the Middle Village, Maspeth, and
Glendale areas. I’ve been in this
command 18 years plus, been on
midnight patrols a very long time
in this command. I want to thank
you guys because I live upstate, and
I could have had the opportunity to
transfer to the Bronx, but because
this is such a great command, I refused
to leave. This is a very good
community. I wouldn’t want to
work in any other place!” exclaimed
Mays, who received a standing ovation
from audience members upon
humbly receiving his award.
Although the ceremony was centered
on the officer, he couldn’t resist
offering his own award to attendees
for showing him their support. Earlier
in the evening he placed tickets
beneath one chair at each of the 20
tables for lucky guests to find, which
they exchanged for pots of his own
honey.
In addition to commemorating
Mays for his diligent work, Santoro
also awarded 104th Precinct’s Civilian
Observation Patrol (G-Cop) for
their years of volunteering to help
guard the neighborhood.
Elected officials, such as Assemblyman
Brian Barnwell and Senator
Joseph Addabbo, Jr., along with
representatives from Assemblyman
Mike Miller, Councilman Robert
Holden and Congresswoman Grace
Meng’s offices, also showed their
support by providing proclamations
and citations to the honorees.
Offi cer Darren Mays with 104th Precinct Community Council President
Len Santoro.
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