Partner of Slain NYPD Officer Promoted

The partner of slain Det. Peter Figoski and his precinct commander in Brooklyn were promoted Friday in a ceremony at NYPD headquarters in Manhattan.

Fellow cops and family members broke into sustained applause and cheers as Officer Glenn Estrada, who was with Figoski when both of them responded to a robbery scene on Dec. 12, was promoted to detective third grade by commissioner Ray Kelly.

Also cheered was precinct commander Jeffrey B. Maddrey, who was promoted from the rank of inspector to deputy chief. Maddrey has served most of his career in Brooklyn precincts.

Figoski, 47, of West Babylon, was killed by a single gunshot allegedly fired by Lamont Pride. Figoski was buried Monday and is survived by his four daughters.

"The entire city grieved for his terrible loss," Kelly said. "It takes some measure of solace to know that justice was served on Tuesday when the five men responsible for Officer Figoski's death were indicted in a Brooklyn court," Kelly told the crowded auditorium.

Kelly credited Estrada's pursuit and apprehension of Pride, and detective work by the 75th Precinct in making the case.

"On the police radio, Officer Estrada can be heard telling the dispatcher 'southbound on Pine (Street),' " said Kelly, adding that when the dispatcher asked where Estrada was in relation to the suspect, the cop responded "right behind him."

"Moments later the killer lay prone on the sidewalk as Officer Estrada handcuffed him," Kelly said.

As Kelly then announced that Estrada, also of West Babylon, was being promoted for his bravery, the crowd burst into applause and cheers.

Because of the pending criminal case police officials would not let Estrada speak to the news media.

Copyright 2011 - Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service