Officers Who Faced Challenges Receive Roosevelt Award

Of the police officers honored yesterday with the police commissioner’s Theodore Roosevelt award, one patrols the streets of Queens after losing part of his right leg and another receives kidney dialysis three days a week before beginning his shift.The award, which honors police officers who have returned to the force after facing life-threatening injury or illness, was handed out to four members of the New York City Police Department at the New York Yacht Club.“With mental discipline and toughness of spirit, qualities prized by Roosevelt, they have overcome these obstacles,” Commissioner Raymond Kelly said of the officers in his speech last night. “Today they are making critical contributions to the New York City Police Department.” Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who also served as president of the Board of Police Commissioners of New York City, the prize was first awarded in 1983.In his speech, Mr. Kelly first spoke of the challenges faced by award winner Lieutenant Jacqueline Bourne.In 1999, Lieutenant Bourne, a six-year veteran of the police department, stepped into a crosswalk in Brooklyn and was struck by a sport-utility vehicle driven by an unlicensed and uninsured man. She was thrown to the ground, breaking her pelvis and sustaining injuries to her hip. She was bedridden for three months.Lieutenant Bourne ran into trouble again last year when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, but once again overcame. Her cancer is in remission, and last month she graduated from the FBI’s National Academy.“Some people just won’t accept the limitations of illness or injury,” Mr. Kelly said. “Lieutenant Bourne is one of those people.” Rachid Elkadi was also honored. In an accident that Mr. Kelly said “would have ended almost anyone’s career,” Officer Elkadi broke his back, neck, pelvis, ribs, and leg while riding his motorcycle in 2006.After nine surgeries, Officer Elkadi had his right leg amputated at the knee and was fitted with a prosthesis.“Through physical therapy three days a week and the sheer force of will, Mr. Elkadi was able to return to full duty status in May,” Mr. Kelly said. “These days you can find him working day tours in the 112th Precinct.”The other honorees were Officer Douglas Strong, who Mr. Kelly said is one of the most active members in his command, even after kidney failure in 2003, and Sergeant John Paolucci, who almost lost his leg in a motorcycle accident.

Officers Who Faced Challenges Receive Roosevelt Award

Officers Who Faced Challenges Receive Roosevelt Award

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