NYPD Honors Marine Veterans in Ceremony
On Friday, the New York Police Department acknowledged the courage of officers who also served as Marines, recognizing some who had been injured in combat or in the line of duty. One veteran reflected on the emotional bond shared among service members, calling it “heartbreaking.”
This recognition ceremony was held at 1 Police Plaza, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps and the 32nd anniversary of the department’s Marine Corps Association, just a few days prior to Veterans Day.
Detective Oliver Bagley, a Purple Heart recipient and a member of the NYPD Bomb Squad for three years, received both the Patrolman’s Gregory Foster Award and the Rocco Lowry Award.
At 44 years old and a Bronx resident, Bagley joined the Marines shortly before the September 11 attacks, serving with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned to Iraq in 2004 and was involved in the first Battle of Fallujah, where his convoy was targeted by a car bomb.
He suffered significant injuries from a metal shard that struck his back, leading to a lengthy recovery process that entailed multiple surgeries and 84 stitches.
“This shows the resiliency of Marines,” he said about joining the NYPD in 2006, two years after his life-threatening injuries. “No matter what we’re going through, we continue to fight for what we believe in.”
Bagley emphasized the strong sense of belonging and camaraderie that comes from service, noting that for many, the military offers the family ties that might be missing elsewhere.
Detective O. Abrams, a 52-year-old who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident while on duty in 2007, was also honored. He has been assigned to Brooklyn’s Highway Patrol Unit 2 since the incident, which occurred while he was en route to a funeral procession.
Abrams’ spinal injury was so grave that hospital staff performed last rites for him. He began his military journey right after high school in 1991, serving in the Marines for four years. Afterward, he joined the North Massapequa Fire Department in 1995 and later the NYPD in 1998.
“The Marines have a purpose, and as a police officer, you have a purpose,” Abrams explained. “I love what I do, and I want to continue doing it.”
Additionally, the honored included Det. Keith Prunty, who was shot in the line of duty while responding to an armed robbery in 1995, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. He, too, had a military background, having served honorably in the Marines before joining the police force.
Another honoree was Capt. Joe Risi, who dedicated 26 years to the NYPD and served in the Marine Corps Reserve. He is also an actor known for roles in several well-known TV shows and made his Broadway debut in a Tony-winning production.
Detective Shaneel Mitchell, who joined the Marines right after high school and fought in Operation Phantom Fury, was also recognized. After his military service, he joined the NYPD in 2010 and currently works on the Firearms Task Force to combat illegal gun trafficking.
At the ceremony, Chairman Elliot Ackerman, a Marine Corps veteran and author, addressed the crowd, stating that those who have seen intense experiences must also contemplate their journeys afterwards. He praised the officers for choosing “a noble second purpose” in their service to the city.
