A New York City Street Will Be Named in Honor of Officer David Guttenberg, Killed In The Line of Duty Nearly Forty Years Ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2017
Fairbanks – Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) will attend a special ceremony in New York City this week to honor his late uncle, a decorated police officer who gave his life in the line of duty. Officer David Guttenberg was shot and killed during a robbery on December 28th, 1978. On Saturday, a street in New York City will be officially renamed in honor of Officer Guttenberg.
“My uncle was exactly like the millions of law enforcement officers and first responders across the country whose first instinct is to run towards danger to help those in need. His death was a tragedy for my family, but we have long taken solace that his death helped spark a significant safety improvement that has protected generations of police officers over the last 39 years,” said Rep. Guttenberg.
After the shooting death of Officer Guttenberg, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Associated started an effort to help outfit NYPD officers with bulletproof vests.
On Saturday, the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 86th Street in Brooklyn, New York will be co-named “Patrolman David Guttenberg Way” at a ceremony that will feature Guttenberg family members from across the country, including Elyse Guttenberg and her husband, Luke Hopkins, both from Fairbanks.
“The greatest gift we can give someone when they leave us is to remember them,” said 68thPrecinct Auxiliary Police Sergeant Christian Durante, who spearheaded to effort to memorialize Officer Guttenberg and his sacrifice to the people of New York City. “Renaming a street in his honor is not the end of the story of Patrolman David Guttenberg, rather it is the continuation of his legacy.”
The legacy of Officer Guttenberg was one of the reasons why Rep. Guttenberg worked diligently to help pass legislation earlier this year to extend health insurance benefits to the surviving dependants of peace officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty in Alaska.
“Those who give their lives for the safety of our communities must know that we appreciate their sacrifice and will help their loved ones when tragedy strikes,” said Rep. Guttenberg. “I will continue to use the memory of my late uncle as motivation to work every single day to support those who protect us from danger.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Guttenberg’s office at (907) 456-8172.
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