Latest news with #Abrams
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
2 NYPD cops paralyzed in line-of-duty crashes promoted to second-grade detectives: ‘I wasn't going to give up'
Two NYPD cops paralyzed during line-of-duty car crashes about two decades ago were promoted to second-grade detectives Friday – as one of the brave Finest declared, 'I wasn't going to give up.' Scot O. Abrams, 51, a 27-year NYPD veteran who suffered a spinal cord injury and a compound fracture to his left leg after a 2007 motorcycle crash – said he was determined to return to the job despite his life-altering injuries. Abrams received a standing ovation at One Police Plaza's auditorium as he was officially bumped up in rank – while his proud wife Tara, 51, and son Joshua, 19, looked on. Advertisement 'It's long-awaited, you know,' Abrams exclusively told The Post after the ceremony. 'Just because I was hurt, I wasn't gonna stop being back to the job.' 6 Det. Scot O. Abrams, who was promoted to detective second grade, suffered a life-altering spinal injury in a 2007 on-duty motorcycle crash. Paul Martinka Abrams, who was assigned to Highway Patrol Unit 2 in Brooklyn, was heading on his motorcycle to a funeral procession when he was suddenly cut off, FOX 5 reported at the time. Advertisement He lost control, slammed into a bus and was ejected from his ride. His injuries were so severe that he was given his last rites at the hospital, his wife told the network at the time. But on Friday, the detective said it's 'unbelievable' that he was able to overcome the nearly life-ending hurdle and continue to serve. 'It's the Marine in me,' Abrams said. 'My wife knew it from day one. I wasn't going to give up… I started to go to work and, you know, give a positive outlook for [others in] the police department.' Advertisement '[I wanted to] show my son who was 14 months old when my incident happened — now he's 19 as a young man – never to give up and push through, to strive and dreams and goals will come to you,' he said. 6 'I wasn't going to give up,' Abrams told The Post of his determination to get back on the job after the crash. Paul Martinka 'And in five years or so, he's going to be in blue standing right next to me,' Abrams added. Joshua – who is now enlisting in the Marine Corps and then plans to transition to the NYPD – welled up with tears as he reflected on his hero dad's perseverance. Advertisement 'He's helped me become a respectable young man,' he said. 'He's helped me through a lot of hard obstacles in my life, and I just wouldn't know what I would do without him.' 6 Det. Thomas Mitchell, left paralyzed in a May 2005 crash as he headed to a robbery scene, was also promoted to detective second grade. Paul Martinka Another hero cop left paralyzed in the line of duty almost exactly 20 years ago also received a standing ovation as he was promoted to second-grade detective. Det. Thomas Mitchell was in a squad car heading to a robbery call in the Rockaways the early morning of May 26, 2005, when the cruiser slammed into a utility pole, according to a report at the time. Mitchell, who wasn't wearing his seatbelt, was paralyzed from the chest down and remains in a wheelchair today. Since the fateful crash, his goal is to help inspire and guide younger cops. 'For some reason [the 20 years] went by really fast,' Mitchell said. 'I've been going around giving speeches to other officers about what happens when you're not wearing a seat belt in a [police car].' 6 Mitchell (seen joined by wife Debra and daughter Emily) has now made it his mission to advise younger cops about safety on the road. Paul Martinka Advertisement 'I told them how my life is fine for one second and then it was completely changed,' he added. 'You gotta get to a job sometimes fast, but you gotta also arrive in one piece.' Mitchell's wife, Debra, 53, said her husband made a quick transition following the crash. 'He went from being a police officer that uses – 6-foot-2 guy — his physical prowess, and he turned to combining that with his heart and his mind and just being authentic,' Debra said. 6 Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch applauded the detectives for turning 'their injuries into purpose.' Paul Martinka Advertisement NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch commended both hero cops at the ceremony. 'Scot and Thomas didn't stop working,' the top cop said. 'They didn't just focus on themselves when they had every single reason in the world to do so. They turned their injuries into purpose and continued to serve.' Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro also praised Abrams' and Mitchell's 'strength in the face of life-altering, line-of-duty injuries and their continued dedication to their fellow Finest and our city.' 6 Tisch also applauded the department's first third-generation Bomb Squad cop, Christopher B. Senft, who was raised in rank from officer to detective. Paul Martinka Advertisement Tisch also applauded another promotee – the department's first third-generation Bomb Squad cop, Christopher B. Senft, who was raised in rank from officer to detective. His grandfather, retired Det. Anthony Senft, now 78, was wounded in 1982 while trying to help defuse an explosive placed at Manhattan's Federal Plaza by the infamous Puerto Rican terror group FALN. He received the Medal of Valor, the department's highest recognition. Christopher's father, Brian Senft, 55, also spent 14 years as a detective – the last five in the Bomb Squad. He has since retired from the NYPD and now works for Homeland Security. Advertisement 'Both Anthony and Brian were Detective Shield number 160, passing from father to son, and today, that shield belongs to the newest Detective Senft,' Tisch said. Christopher's great-grandfather also had the same shield number, but in the Suffolk County Police Department, 'so it's technically the fourth generation of that number, but third generation in the NYPD,' Brian said. The youngest Senft detective said he always dreamed of continuing the NYPD legacy. 'Growing up my whole life, I always wanted to be a police officer,' Christopher said. 'That was always my only [goal] – I didn't know what else I would do besides that.' 'So I always knew that I was going to pursue this. Specifically the Bomb Squad, it was always like my second dream to get into this unit.' Meanwhile, the eldest Senft was filled with pride over his grandson's achievement. 'It's very, very emotional – to be alive, and then to see my son follow in my footsteps and achieve the things he did,' Anthony said. 'And now my grandson, I mean, the emotions are just running over at this point.' Christopher shares an 11-month-old daughter, Giada, with his wife, Gabriella, who works as a police officer in Queens' 111th Precinct. 'I'm extremely happy and very fortunate to be able to be here to see my grandchildren and my great granddaughter,' the eldest Senft added. 'You know, it's a wonderful thing because I'm getting up there in age. I'm very, very proud. It's a proud day for me.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DC mayor concerned about parade tanks' impact on streets
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is raising concerns that military tanks and armored vehicles set to roll down city streets next month for the Army's 250th anniversary parade will tear up the roadways. Bowser on Thursday warned that the city would be on the hook for expenses linked to repairing its streets after the June 14 event, with an unknown timetable for when the Pentagon might reimburse Washington. 'I remain concerned about it, I have to tell you,' she told reporters at a press conference. 'These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered unusable, we have to make them usable and then go seek our money from the feds.' 'That gives me some concern about fronting costs and waiting for them to get back,' she added. The U.S. capital is poised to host a massive military parade to mark the Army milestone anniversary — which also falls on President Trump's birthday — featuring thousands of service members and dozens of military vehicles on a route that will stretch for nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House, according to service officials. Trump, who is set to speak during the event, has brushed aside concerns over the costs of the parade — upwards of $45 million — as 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' But city officials have raised fears that more than two dozen Abrams tanks, as well as numerous heavy armored vehicles, will damage city streets. Bowser last month said tanks taking to Washington's streets 'would not be good' and 'should be accompanied by many millions of dollars' for repairs. The Army has sought to alleviate these concerns by insisting thick metal plates will be put down on parts of the route beforehand, and any damage will be covered by the service. Military parades have been a sore subject between Trump and Bowser, who clashed over the same issue in 2018 during the president's first term. Trump, who had wanted to host a military parade after being inspired by France's Bastille Day celebrations, ultimately canceled his first-term plans for a state-side event and blamed 'local politicians' for an exorbitant price tag to make it happen. 'The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it,' he posted online at the time. Also included in the parade will be historic aircraft and at least 50 helicopters flying through Washington's skies, Army parachutists known as the Golden Knights and a fireworks display at dusk. Bowser said she was advised by the National Transportation Safety Board that 'there could be some disruption to the airspace at times,' due to the military aircraft, which could affect air travel for short periods of time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
DC mayor concerned about parade tanks' impact on streets
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is raising concerns that military tanks and armored vehicles set to roll down city streets next month for the Army's 250th anniversary parade will tear up the roadways. Bowser on Thursday warned the city would be on the hook for expenses linked to repairing its streets after the June 14 event, with an unknown timetable for when the Pentagon might reimburse Washington. 'I remain concerned about it, I have to tell you,' she told reporters at a press conference. 'These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered unusable, we have to make them usable and then go seek our money from the feds.' She added: 'That gives me some concern about fronting costs and waiting for them to get back.' The U.S. capital is poised to host a massive military parade to mark the Army milestone anniversary — which also falls on President Trump's birthday — featuring thousands of service members and dozens of military vehicles on a route that will stretch for nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House, according to service officials. Trump, who is set to speak during the event, has brushed aside concerns over the costs of the parade — upwards of $45 million — as 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' But city officials have raised fears that more than two dozen Abrams tanks, as well as numerous heavy armored vehicles, will damage city streets. Bowser last month said tanks taking to Washington's streets 'would not be good' and 'should be accompanied by many millions of dollars' for repairs. The Army has sought to alleviate these concerns by insisting thick metal plates will be put down on parts of the route beforehand, and any damage will be covered by the service. Military parades have been a sore subject between Trump and Bowser, who clashed over the same issue in 2018 during the president's first term. Trump, who had wanted to host a military parade after being inspired by France's Bastille Day celebrations, ultimately canceled his first-term plans for a state-side event and blamed 'local politicians' for an exorbitant price tag to make it happen. 'The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it,' he tweeted at the time. Also included in the parade will be historic aircraft and at least 50 helicopters flying through Washington's skis, Army parachutists known as the Golden Knights and a fireworks display at dusk. Bowser said she was advised by the National Transportation Safety Board that 'there could be some disruption to the airspace at times,' due to the military aircraft, which could affect air travel for short periods of time.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
DC Mayor Bowser 'concerned' tanks will rip up streets in Army parade
The Army has since told reporters it did not expect damage to the streets, and would cover the cost of any distressed asphalt. Thick metal plates will be placed over turns on the tanks' parade route to protect the roads, according to Army officials. But Bowser said at a May 29 news conference she worried the city would have to shoulder those repairs and wait around for the Pentagon to reimburse. "I remain concerned about it," she said. "These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered in unusable, we have to make them usable." "Probably we would fix it and then go seek our money from the Fed," she said. "That gives me some concern about fronting costs and waiting for them to get back." More: Trump's getting his military parade. Here's what they look like from France to Russia The parade - which falls on President Donald Trump's 79th birthday - is a pressure point between Bowser and Trump, who clashed over Trump's push for a similarly huge military parade in his first term. Trump announced in 2018 that he had canceled his plans for the earlier parade, blaming Bowser and "local politicians" for jacking up the price tag to $21 million. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," he tweeted. Bowser hit back that she "finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities" of the cost. This time around, Bowser has held back from criticizing the upcoming parade, which will likely cost more than twice as much as the 2018 estimate - up to $45 million, according to the Army. The Army said May 21 the parade will feature 28 Abrams tanks and twice as many armored vehicles rolling down a strip of Constitution Avenue north of the National Mall. Historic fighter planes and at least 50 helicopters will fly overhead. Army parachutists, called the Golden Knights, will sail down and one will present a folded flag to Trump, who will speak from a presidential booth, USA TODAY previously reported.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Putin will attack Lithuania next if he beats Ukraine, former CIA boss warns as Zelensky slams Vlad for ‘stalling talks'
He took aim at the US President for giving the Russian despot too many second chances VLAD ATTACK Putin will attack Lithuania next if he beats Ukraine, former CIA boss warns as Zelensky slams Vlad for 'stalling talks' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VLADIMIR Putin will launch an assault on Lithuania next if he conquers Ukraine, an ex-CIA boss has warned. The caution comes as Zelensky slammed the Russian despot for "stalling peace talks" following his dismal attempts to get to the negotiating table. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Ukraine has accused Russia of 'stalling' peace' talks after Putin's failed attempts to get to the negotiating table Credit: Reuters 7 An ex-CIA boss has warned global leaders of a potential attack on Lithuania Credit: Getty David Petraus, a retired US general and director of the CIA, warned an attack on the Baltic state would not be an isolated event but part of a longer-term plan to test the West. Speaking at the Policy Exchange Think-Tank in London, Petraeus said Lithuania has "featured prominently" in Putin's speeches meaning he might turn on the NATO state for his next assault. After mad Vlad has installed a "puppet leader to control all of Ukraine" there's a strong chance he will turn his "focus on one of the Baltic states," he added. Taking aim at Trump, he said the US had dithered too much on "individual decisions" and was giving the Russian president too many second chances - causing immeasurable losses for Ukraine. He said: "What we've seen is three incidences where the US President has threatened that in two weeks we'll have to take a different approach. "We'll see this time what actually happens. The US also temporised far too long over individual decisions such as M1 [Abrams] tanks. "A blind man on a dark night could see it had to be the F-16 (a multi- role fighter aircraft)." Ukraine responded yesterday saying: "The Russians' fear of sending their 'memorandum' to Ukraine suggests that it is likely filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process." His comments come after Trump issued Vlad with a two-week deadline for a ceasefire following Russia's deadly attack on Ukraine earlier this week. Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday: 'I'm very disappointed at what happened a couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation." He added: 'When I see rockets being shot into cities, that's no good. We're not going to allow it.' Trump gives Putin two-week ceasefire DEADLINE - but can talks stop bloodbath? When asked if Putin really wants to end the war, Trump replied: "I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks. "Within two weeks. We're gonna find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not. "And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently." One of the largest stumbling blocks which is delaying any peace deal is said to be over Putin's desire to control his former Soviet states and keep them away from Nato. 7 David Petraeus called Trump out on giving Putin too many second chances Credit: Reuters 7 The Russian despot says he wants assurance from NATO that it will stop expanding into countries eastward Credit: AFP 7 This includes Ukraine themselves with the Kremlin always saying Kyiv gaining access to the group is a complete no go under any circumstances. Kyiv has repeatedly said that Moscow should have no say in its sovereign right to pursue Nato membership however. He declared he will only call off the war in Ukraine if the West vows to keep its hands off Russia's prized former Soviet states. Putin even demanded he got the assurances in writing. The Russian president said he wants a "written" pledge from Western leaders to stop Nato's expansion to countries eastward, top Russian officials revealed to Reuters. The eastward expansion refers to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. Putin is reportedly preparing for a major push to take more land in the north east. Military analysts believe he is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land. They warn that Putin only has a "four-month window" to get a breakthrough in Ukraine this year. And this could be the beginning of Russia's summer offensive targeting the border city of Kharkiv - the "fortress" city of Ukraine which put up the maximum resistance at the start of the invasion. Reacting to the reports, German Chancellor Freidrich Merz predicted that peace was still a long way off. He said: "Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides and in this war we are obviously still far from reaching that [situation]. "So we may have to prepare for a longer duration." 7 Petraeus said Putin had often mentioned Lithuania in his speeches Credit: Getty
