President’s Message | May 1, 2023

Dear Fellow Sergeant,

National Police Week is being held this year from May 14-20 in Washington, D.C. Thousands of law enforcement personnel and their families will descend on the nation’s capital to pay homage to the more than 400 police officers from throughout the United States who lost their lives as a result of the performance of their duties. Those fallen officers will have their names publicly read and permanently enshrined on the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.

Among those being honored this year are 51 NYPD members, including 9 Sergeants, all of whom passed away from 9/11 related illnesses.

We can never forget the tremendous selflessness and sacrifice of any of the fallen heroes, especially NYPD Sgts. Emanuele Alongi, Hugh Bartlett Jr., James Bast, Cornelius Douglas, Thomas Fennessy, Michael Fuller, Jeremiah Hunt, Mark Smith, and Christopher Tully.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the current life expectancy in the United States is 76 for males and 81 for females. The average age of the deceased sergeants, all of whom were males, was 54 years old.

They served the NYPD and the SBA with tremendous commitment, dedication, bravery, and grit, only to be taken in the prime of their lives and leaving behind scores of heartbroken family members, friends, and colleagues.

I hope the families can find a degree of comfort in knowing the esteem in which their loved ones will always be held, not only by the SBA but by the nationwide law enforcement community. They will forever be part of the SBA legacy and family.

Now that the PBA has settled its contract after seven years, it is anticipated that we will soon have a contract of our own. I assure you that we will fight for as much of a pay increase as possible, while also challenging the City’s ongoing cost-saving efforts such as 12-hour shifts and one-man supervisory patrols during these times of unprecedented dangers. We will keep you apprised of all contractual developments as they occur.

As I have said many times before, serving as your President is both a privilege and a pleasure. You make your tough job look easy and perform your duties in such exemplary fashion. Thank you for all that you do and know that the SBA will always have your back.

Fraternally,