By Lesley Grimm
He’s a hero, times two. The latest “Cop of the Month” honoree in the 62nd Precinct diverted two separate tragedies. Police Officer Carlos Olmedo was recognized at the March 18 meeting of the 62nd Precinct Community Council, held at the stationhouse at 1925 Bath Avenue. His commanding officer, Captain John Sprague, recounted two noteworthy incidents, saying Olmedo’s actions prevented tragedies both times. “I don’t know which one is better,” Captain Sprague told the community council gathering. On February 29 Officer Olmedo and his partner responded to dispute in a nightclub on Stillwell Avenue in Bensonhurst. It was reported that a person at the club had a gun. Sprague said the two cops encountered a large late-night Friday crowd. Several patrons, he said, were intoxicated. “The bartender, thank God, had the wits about him and immediately pointed out this individual in this bar who had the firearm,” Captain Sprague recounted, who praised Officer Olmedo’s “excellent tactics.” Sprague said Olmedo stayed “cool, calm and collected” and quickly brought the suspect under control, removing a loaded semi-automatic pistol from his waistband. Later police interviews revealed the suspect was having a problem with someone at the bar and was carrying the gun for “protection.” “You can imagine how alcohol and guns mix—they don’t. We definitely, through his great work, stopped a tragedy from happening,” Sprague said. Police say the man was charged with criminal possession of a weapon. The commanding officer then described an earlier incident, where he also credited with Officer Olmedo with saving a life. On January 1, the cop was assigned to watch an emotionally disturbed person at a local hospital. While he was at the hospital, Officer Olmedo took note of another person who had gone into a restroom. Olmedo noticed that the man had been in there “a little bit too long.” “Carlos, taking the initiative, goes in there, and he finds this individual hanging,” Captain Sprague said. “He got there in the nick of time and cut this individual down, and he’s alive today because of that,” he added. “If he was not paying attention or being so alert, this person would not be here today.” This is the first time Officer Olmedo has been recognized as “Cop of the Month.” He has been assigned to the 62nd Precinct since July of 2007.
