Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Firefighter Peter F. McLaughlin was born in New York City on April 21, 1964 to Ellen and Vincent McLaughlin. He was baptized in St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in the Bronx. In 1971, his family moved to Coop City and from his earliest years, Peter McLaughlin voiced interest in becoming a firefighter. In January 1977, he moved to Northport, New York where he attended Northport Junior and Senior High School. As a teenager he joined the Northport Fire Department Junior Smoke Eaters, where he learned fire technology and received a certificate from the New York State Firefighters School of Instruction. In 1982, after graduating from high school, he passed the New York City Fire Department Exam.
On August 20, 1982, before joining the Fire Department, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served a four-year tour. In December 1988, he was appointed to the New York City Fire Department and worked with units in the Bronx and Queens, and in June 1993 became a member of the prestigious Rescue Unit #4 in Queens. This unit is one of only four such units in the entire City, and the lone rescue unit in the Borough of Queens.
On October 8, 1995, Rescue Unit #4 responded to a three alarm-fire at an apartment building in Long Island City. Knowing there was a possibility that people may be trapped inside, Peter began searching for survivors. While searching a fourth floor apartment adjacent to the room where the fire began, the fire blew down the ceiling on top of Firefighter McLaughlin, claiming his life and seriously injuring his partner.
Peter's dream had always been to "become a firefighter and a Marine", and he accomplished both goals. During his tour at Rescue 4, he was nicknamed "Sniper" by his fellow firefighters, as a reference to his Marine background, of which he was so proud.
Peter died a hero, doing the job he loved to do for the people of the City of New York. He is survived by his parents Ellen and Vincent McLaughlin and his brother Keith McLaughlin. In view of his dedication to duty, it is fitting that the south side of Queens Boulevard between 64th Street and 65th Street, be named "FF Peter F. McLaughlin Way."
I will first turn to the bill's sponsor and then to any other elected officials wishing to be heard.
Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition?
Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support?
There being no one else and for the reasons stated previously, I will now sign the bill.
Chris Hoban was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 7, 1962 to Catina and Martin Hoban. Chris lived with his parents and two brothers Martin and Tommy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where he attended grammar school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.
At a very young age Chris became an active member of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish. He was actively involved with sports and was always performing acts of kindness in the community. His strong sense of community and acts of kindness continued as a teenager while he attended Xaverian High School in Brooklyn. It was in high school that Chris became aware of his desire to become involved in his community at a greater level. At Xaverian he became interested in becoming a police officer and began formulating ideas on how to become one of New York's Finest.
After graduating High School, Chris attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice where it became clear to him that he could become involved in the community by becoming a New York City Police Officer. Upon receiving his Associate Degree in 1984, he entered the New York City Police Academy. Upon successful completion of the Academy Training Program he joined the Police force and in less than four years service received four commendations for his work.
In October 1988 he was assigned as an undercover officer in Manhattan's Midtown North Narcotics Division. During that same month, Chris and his partner went to an apartment to arrest three suspected drug dealers as part of a "buy and bust" operation. Suddenly, one of the suspects accused Chris of being an undercover cop and shot him twice with a .357 Magnum; although Police Officer Hoban managed to shoot and kill one of the attackers while wounding another, he died from the gunshot wound. Police Officer Hoban made the greatest sacrifice he could give to the City he loved, his life.
He is survived by his mother Catina and his two brothers Martin and Tom. In order to perpetuate his memory in the community, a Chris Hoban Memorial five mile run was established in 1989, with the benefits going for scholarships to Xaverian High School in Chris's name.
In view of Officer Chris Hoban's heroism in giving his life to serve the City, it is fitting that 71st Street between Narrows Avenue and Shore Road adjacent to his former high school be named "P.O. Chris Hoban Way"
I will first turn to the bill's sponsor and then to any other elected officials wishing to be heard.
Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition?
Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support?
There being no one else and for the reasons stated previously, I will now sign the bill.
Everett E. Hatcher was born on October 9, 1942 to Everett and Lola Hatcher and was the oldest of three children. As a young boy Everett attended PS 134 and later attended DeWitt Clinton High School. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the Hampton Institute in Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1968. He spent six years in Germany where he was an Army Deputy Provost Marshal and physical education teacher at a U.S. military dependent high school. He later attended graduate school at Boston University and received a Masters of Education degree. He completed further advanced studies at Boston University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.
He returned to New York City in 1975 where he taught in New York City schools and worked in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as an investigator. In January 1977, he joined the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a special agent in the New York Regional Office where he worked for 12 years. He performed various investigative assignments for which he received Special Achievement Awards in 1982 and 1983. He was also a recruiting officer and in this regard he received his third Special Achievement Award for his work in the recruiting program in 1987.
On February 28, 1989 Special Agent Everett E. Hatcher was tragically shot and killed during an undercover investigation on Staten Island. He was forty-six years of age and is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, and two children, Zachary and Joshua.
In view of his heroism in giving his life serving the New York City community, it is fitting that West 17th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues, the location of the DEA's New York Regional office, be named "Special Agent Everett E. Hatcher Place."
I will first turn to the bill's sponsor and then to any other elected officials wishing to be heard.
Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition?
Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support?
There being no one else and for the reasons stated previously, I will now sign the bill.