In July 1996, two anti-crime officers, Police Officer Eric Ocasio & Charles Claudio, assigned to the 25th Precinct were on patrol at East 116 Street. They observed a vehicle stopped at a red light with liquid pouring from underneath her car. As they exited the car, the officers determined the liquid was gasoline. The vehicle became engulfed with flames, and the female operator was observed in the car with her two children, a two year old girl and one year old boy. The officers were unable to open the car door. Officer Ocasio broke the window with his radio and, with the help of a passing motorist, pulled the woman out of the vehicle and into safety. Officer Claudio saved the two toddlers by pulling the 2-year-old female out of an open window and grabbing the 1-year-old male, who was strapped in, from the back seat. Both officers were taken to Metropolitan Hospital for minor injuries. PO Ocasio suffered smoke inhalation, and PO Claudio sustained a twisted ankle. All three occupants of the vehicle are alive today. The then 2-year-old girl, Dennise Gomez, has grown up and has become an NYPD officer herself. Officer Gomez cites that one of the reasons why she became a police officer was because of the heroic actions of these two officers, who had been searching for them for a long time.
11 янв 2024
