By Joe Anuta
An NYPD police officer who served southeast Queens got a piece of it back Saturday when a portion of Baisley Boulevard was renamed Disdale Enton Way.
Enton served the 113th Precinct for four years before he died in 2002 just after his 34th birthday, but during his time with the force, fellow officers and NYPD brass said he was a model cop.
“Dale was a highly respected member of the 113,” said Deputy Commissioner Rafael Pineiro, who spoke at a ceremony outside of the precinct. “He was the type of cop others wanted to work with and wanted to emulate.”
Pineiro spoke to about 100 officers, friends and family members who attended the ceremony.
“Dale was taken from us too soon,” Pineiro said.
Enton’s sister, Lorraine Enton-David, also spoke, saying Enton was equally dedicated to working with students and the elderly as well as chasing down perps.
“Being a police officer was a big part of his life,” she said. “His primary goal was to reach out to the people in our community.”
Enton, who was also known as Junior, was pursuing a suspect in August 2002 when he suddenly had a brain aneurism and died four days later.
In addition to the street sign, which was unveiled by Enton’s family across the street from the station, the NYPD installed a plaque in the lobby of the 113th Precinct.
A scrapbook beneath the plaque contained a collection of pictures and written thoughts. One page read: “If you saw him, he looked like a recruitment poster. He carried himself very professionally and was always in a good mood.”
Enton was a longtime Boy Scout and had a passion for aviation.
In fact, he worked nights at the precinct so he could fly during the day. Enton had hopes of one day joining the NYPD’s aviation unit.
Enton grew up in Brooklyn and studied aviation in Alabama before transferring to St. Francis in his home borough and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management, according to his mother, Gwendolyn Enton.
“I’ve got mixed feelings,” she said after the ceremony. “He’s gone, but I’m so proud.”
The street renaming was set in motion by a bill from City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), who joined the effort only a year and a half ago. Comrie said the process had taken too long, but he was glad to see the sign go up.
“It’s a fitting honor to a city worker that died on the job,” he said.
Enton was engaged to Dominique Chicoye and had two dogs at the time of his death.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
