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Bound certificate from the Port Jervis PD, after being passed to an officer in that force, was read to Medal of Honor recipient Captain Richard Rodriguez cited for helping Port Jervis officers make an arrest Oct. 6. It had originally been presented to the captain Oct. 27.

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The following citation with the NYC DOC Medal of Honor awarded Captain Richard Rodriguez is taken from the Medal Day 2011 booklet.

CAPTAIN RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, E.M.T.C.

Capt. Richard Rodriguez, a 23-year veteran of DOC, on October 6, was off-duty and driving in the town of Port Jervis, NY, when he witnessed a police detective struggling with a suspect.

It later turned out that the defendant had led Port Jervis police on a high-speed-chase throughout several neighborhoods and had intentionally rammed a detective's patrol vehicle twice during the pursuit.

Observing that the officers were in need of assistance, Capt. Rodriguez stopped his car and went to help. Without regard for his own safety, he identified himself and immediately began assisting the officers, grabbing the perpetrator's left arm and placing handcuffs on him.

The defendant, a dangerous felon, continued to resist arrest and it was then that both Captain Rodriguez and the detective had to remove the perpetrator from his vehicle and take him to the ground. At one point, the defendant attempted to stab the detective with a screwdriver.

Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden later recalled, “I wish to personally commend Capt. Rodriguez for his strong commitment to public safety and dedication to duty. His heroic, selfless actions provided immediate and valuable assistance to officers of the Port Jervis Police Department during this highly volatile, potentially life-threatening situation, helping to bring the situation under control. Capt. Rodriguez serves as a credit to the sworn men and women of the New York City Department of Correction and to all public servants who have taken an oath to protect our communities and uphold the law.”

The Port Jervis Police Department presented Captain Rodriguez with a Certificate of Commendation on October 27, 2011. Captain Rodriguez has been with the Department since 1988.

WEBMASTER NOTE: At Medal Day 2011 ceremonies in the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC) on Rikers Island Nov. 15th, the NYC Department of Correction honored staff for heroic acts on and off the job, as well as for distinguished and exceptional on-the-job performance and community service. This New York Correction History Society (NYCHS) presentation features images derived from photos taken by NYCHS at the event as well as texts and images scanned by NYCHS from NYC DOC's Medal Day 2011 booklet distributed at the ceremonies.

Preliminaries, 0 -- 8; DOC medals, 9 -- 15; Mayor's awards, 16 -- 18; Unit Citations, 19 -- 21; union awards, 22 -- 28; benediction, 29; booklet lists, 30 & 31.
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