Slain Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Awarded Medal Of Honor

Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, of Greenlawn, who was shot and killed in the line of duty last November, was the recipient of the Medal of Honor at NYPD's Medal Day 2017 on Tuesday.

Members of Tuozzolo's family were in attendance to receive the award for Tuozzolo's bravery, sacrifice and service to New York City. NYPD's Medal Day honors members of the NYPD who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Tuozzolo's final act of bravery came moments before he was killed on Nov. 4, 2016.

On that day, Tuozzolo, of the 43 Precinct, was one of several officers responding to a 911 call about a man violating of an order of protection by holding his 29-year-old estranged wife and two children at gunpoint inside a house in the Bronx. While en route, dispatchers advised responding officers the man had left in a red Jeep, and police officers pursued.

Tuozzolo spotted the man’s vehicle less than half a mile from the scene. Despite knowing the suspect probably still had a gun on him, Tuozzolo and other officers approached the vehicle.

Tuozzolo and Sgt. Emmanuel Kwo were approaching the car when Tuozzolo spotted the armed man. Tuozzolo yelled, "Gun! Gun! Gun!" to save the others' lives before he was fatally shot in the head. Kwo was shot in the leg and has since recovered from his injuries.

The suspect, 35-year-old Manuel Rosales, was shot and killed by officer Arvid Flores and probationary police officer Elwin Martinez. Rosales, who was living in Brentwood, had been arrested 17 times, police said.

At Tuozzolo's funeral on Nov. 10, 2016, NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill awarded the slain hero a posthumous promotion from Sergeant to Sergeant of Special Assignment for his actions. Those inside the St. Rose of Lima Church in Massapequa erupted with applause to this announcement. “It was the least we could do,” O'Neill said.

The 19-year officer had one year left to serve before he could retire. Tuozzolo could have stayed inside and worked an office job, but he wanted to continue serving on patrol. “He wanted to end his career where he started it: working radio and keeping the public safe,” O’Neill said.

Tuozzolo is survived by his wife Lisa; their two sons, Austin and Joseph; his parents, Denise and Peter; and his brothers, Michael and Peter.

Images via NYPD Facebook page