A member of New York’s Finest, who was left paralyzed after being struck by a fleeing driver, was among those honored at a weekend celebration honoring law enforcement heroes.
Det. Darsh Veve, who was dragged three blocks through East New York in June 2017 while clinging to a stolen car, was honored at the Blue Lives Matter New York City Archangel Gala on Saturday night.
His wife, Esther Veve, addressed attendees at the seventh annual event held at Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island.
“A lot of people talk about how strong Esther Veve is,” NYPD Deputy Chief Joseph Gulotta, Staten Island Patrol Commander, told the Post. “I know it’s not strength. It’s her hope and faith that keeps her going. She’s never lost her faith.”
As a result of this tragic incident, Veve suffered severe brain damage and was confined to a wheelchair.
The driver of the car, reputed gang member Justin Murrell, avoided the 10-year maximum sentence when he was sentenced in January 2019, serving just 14 months before parole.
Mr. Veve also received the Divisional Medal of Honor in 2022, one of the division’s highest honors, and received a standing ovation as his wife and daughter looked on.
On Saturday, 17 family members of New York City police officers killed in the line of duty were also honored.
Former Chicago Police Officer Carlos Yanez, who was critically injured in a shooting during a traffic stop on the South Side in August 2021, was also honored at the event.
Yanez suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his eye, brain and shoulder in the shooting, and his partner, Ella French, died.
The suspect in the shooting, Emonte Morgan, 23, of Chicago, was sentenced earlier this month.
Michael Martinez, a disabled Texas boy who was thrown from his wheelchair by school bullies when he dressed up as a police officer for Career Day, was among the blue-clad honorees.
Just last year, he was escorted around the Big Apple for everything from meeting with Mayor Eric Adams and Cardinal Timothy Dolan to grabbing a slice of pizza and attending roll call at the New York City Police Department on Staten Island. I made a stopover.
