By Courtney Dentch
The 113th Police Precinct, along with other precincts across the city, held a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Monday to commemorate commemoration of the six-month anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.
The tribute was held on the front steps of the precinct, located at 167-02 Baisley Blvd. in Jamaica. About 30 community members, including City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and the precinct’s 170 officers stood with heads bowed as the names of the fallen police officers were read.
The list of the 23 officers who died in the Sept. 11 attacks, read by Sgt. Edward Heim, included the name of Sgt. Michael Curtin, of the Emergency Services unit. Curtin was a member of the 113th Precinct before he was transferred to the ESU, and his funeral was held Monday morning after the moment of silence, said Community Affairs Officer Jovoda Cooper.
The 113th covers southeast Queens neighborhoods, including St. Albans, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone Park, South Jamaica, Addisleigh Park, and Locust Manor.
The tribute began with an announcement from central dispatching saying it was 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center six months ago. The 113th Precinct’s commanding officer, Capt. John Essig, asked Heim to read the list of names and then asked for the moment of silence.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer from the Rev. Brenda Smith of the New Hope Lutheran Church in Jamaica. Smith prayed for understanding, strength and tolerance.
“We gather here today to remember the events of Sept. 11,” she said. “May they have taught us to be more caring and loving.”
Although there were many memorial services held Monday, Comrie chose to come to the 113th Precinct for a sense of comfort, he said.
“This is the local one,” Comrie said. “You want to be close to home on a day like this.”
American Legion Posts around the city sent members to attend different services, said James Osborne, the vice commander of Queens County Post 1424. As veterans, it was important that they support local law enforcement, he said.
“We believe in the police officer and the firefighters,” Osborne said. “I think they do a great job.”
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 138.
