“…if you meet a police officer in your travels, tell them we respect and honor them for serving in our community and keeping us all safe.”

This letter was written as a tribute to our Finest by Club member Frederick Bedell and and sent to our local and regional newspapers.

First of all I would like to praise all members of the NYPD for their outstanding service and for a job well done in trying to keep us safe. I truly understand this can be a thankless job but a necessary one. That being said I would like to applaud Patrick Lynch, President of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association for coming to the defense of fellow officers in the aftermath of the death of suspect Eric Garner, who resisted arrest. I had met Pat Lynch a number of years ago and found him to be a dedicated police officer and a man who possessed an immense amount of integrity. That’s why I believe him when he said,” The document from the Medical Examiners office, that is a political document not based on scientific fact.” Whereas the ME’s report said it was the choke hold that caused the homicide. Pat Lynch has our Finest back, too bad Mayor De Blasio does not. Our Finest are greatly upset and rightly so. These brave men and women put their lives on the line everyday and are getting no respect from those they have swore to serve and protect.. Now that’s most sad indeed. Let’s remember to give respect to our Finest and if you meet a police officer in your travels, tell them we respect and honor them for serving in our community and keeping us all safe.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village, N.Y.