They rank among the finest apples.
Dozens of NYPD officers were honored this week with awards and applause from their fellow Finest at a Police Benevolent Association ceremony in Queens.
“We know there are people out there who think they can do our job better, who want to tell us how to do our jobs,” PBA President Patrick Hendry said Thursday during the Finest of the Finest Awards at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach.
“But none of them ever had to face an individual who pulled out a gun, pointed at them, and started firing,” Hendry said. “None of them ever ran toward a burning car to rescue someone inside. None of them ever performed chest compressions on a baby who wasn’t breathing. All of you have done those things.”
Among the officers recognized for bravery was Officer Grant Pulgarin, who tackled a suspected homegrown terrorist after the man threw an improvised explosive device into a crowd during an ISIS-inspired attack outside Gracie Mansion in Manhattan’s 19th Precinct on March 17.
“This officer was policing a demonstration outside Gracie Mansion when he spotted a man who had just thrown a fuse-lit bomb,” PBA Treasurer Joe Strong said. “He ran toward the danger and stopped the terrorist with a perfectly executed tackle, one that any NFL coach would be proud of.”
Pulgarin could not comment because the case remains under active investigation. Strong said the officer restrained the suspect until he could be handcuffed, while the suspect’s accomplice was also taken into custody. Pulgarin received a plaque during the ceremony.
Officers Seoungjae Chung, Donglun Liu, Antonio Andreani and Lt. Michael Simmonds of Brooklyn’s 62nd Precinct were also honored after shooting and killing a man wielding a meat cleaver who had stabbed four children inside an 84th Street home on April 6, 2025.
According to the PBA, the officers forced their way through the door to reach the children, ages 8 to 16. All four survived their stab wounds.
“Upon arrival, these officers, hearing screams from inside the apartment, had to kick in the door to gain access,” PBA Recording Secretary George Winkler told roughly 150 people at the event. “Once inside, the perp charged the officers, who were forced to shoot and wound the suspect to put an end to the carnage.”
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The PBA also recognized NYPD Harbor Unit officers Christopher Kessinger and Steven Westgate, along with Sgt. Jose Figueroa, for rescuing sailors after a Mexican Navy vessel struck the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in May 2025. Two crew members died in the crash.
“If it weren’t for the expert efforts of these police officers, the toll would have been much higher,” Strong said. “Under very difficult and dangerous conditions, these officers evacuated 19 victims, carried them to safety and made sure they received the medical attention they needed.”
Police Officer Joseph Wetzel received an award for rescuing a driver and passenger from a fiery crash in Wantagh, Long Island, on Feb. 4. He was off duty and on extended medical leave at the time while undergoing radiation treatment for cancer, he told The Post.
“I had breakfast with my father, and as we were walking to the car, I heard a loud crash at the major intersection across the street. I turned and saw that there was a car flipped over,” said Wetzel, 29, who received the PBA President’s Award.
Wetzel ran across the street and saw flames coming from the vehicle’s engine. A witness told him two people were trapped inside, he said.
“I always carry a knife that has an emergency tool that can break windows and cut seat belts and what not,” he said. “So I moved everyone away from the front window and started striking the window with the instrument. I finally broke it and cleared the glass with my bare hands.”
As witnesses called 911 and threw ice onto the fire, another person retrieved a fire extinguisher from a nearby gas station and put out the flames. Wetzel then pulled the driver from the vehicle, he said.
“I crawled into the car and assessed the welfare of the second person who was trapped and determined it would be safer to wait for the fire department,” Wetzel said. Firefighters later used the Jaws of Life to remove the person.
Both people trapped inside the car were taken to a hospital and survived, he said.
“Hurry up,” Wetzel said when asked what was going through his mind. “At that moment, it’s all or nothing. Just get in there, break the window, clear the glass, get the people out.”