NYPD Recruit Reunites With Detective Who Saved His Life on Graduation Day
What to Know
- Over 1,000 new officers graduated from the NYPD academy, including Christian Leon, inspired by a past rescue.
- Leon was saved from a burning vehicle in 2021 by off-duty Detective James Fares, who called for help and left without recognition.
- The reunion in 2023 marked the first time Leon and Fares saw each other since the accident, deepening their emotional connection.
NEW YORK -- More than 1,000 new officers joined the New York City Police Department on this week after completing six months of academy training, but one graduate's path to the profession was shaped by a life-saving encounter years earlier.
Officer Christian Leon, one of the department's newest graduates, was reunited on Wednesday, June 24, with the detective who rescued him following a serious car crash in 2021, according to the NYPD.
According to the NYPD, Leon was involved in a vehicle accident on the Grand Central Parkway on Nov. 18, 2021. After the crash, an off-duty detective pulled him from the vehicle and called for emergency medical assistance before leaving the scene. Leon never had the opportunity to thank the officer who helped save his life.
During an interview before graduating from the police academy, Leon said the incident played a significant role in his decision to pursue a law enforcement career.
"I had an experience of why I became a police officer was I was involved in a car accident in November 18 of 2021, and an officer actually assisted me out of the car, which was about to burn and blow up, and he called the ambulance," Leon said.
He added that he never learned the officer's identity and hoped to one day express his gratitude.
"I appreciate the officer who saved my life. If you ever see this video, I appreciate you," Leon said. "He left without the recognition. That's what I want to provide to the public."
Moments later, Leon received a surprise visit from Det. James Fares, who identified himself as the officer who responded to the crash.
"I was there the night of your accident," Fares told Leon during the reunion.
The emotional meeting marked the first time the two had seen each other since the incident more than four years ago.
Fares said he was surprised to learn that the rescue had inspired Leon to join the NYPD.
"I was in shock, actually," Fares said. "I kind of forget about the incident because, you know, you go through so many different incidents on this job. And sometimes, you know, something great like this comes out of it."
Fares said the reunion was especially meaningful and served as a reminder of the lasting impact officers can have on the people they encounter throughout their careers.
"It was very touching," he said. "It happened at a moment when I really could have used the uplifting."