Long Island's Hero Police Officer Honored At Jets Stadium For Bravery

After an amazing show of bravery during a Times Square bomb scare in July, New York City Police Officer Peter Cybulski was honored this week by the New York Jets.

"Getting honored at Jets Stadium was an amazing experience that I will never forget," Cybulski, 25, who graduated from Riverhead High School but now lives in Flanders, said. "The energy on the field from all the pre-game celebrations was amazing."

Cybulski was on patrol in New York City on July 21, parked at Broadway and Duffy Square at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday with Sgt. Hameed Armani, when a suspect tossed what appeared to be a bomb into a police van in Times Square. The officers, in a fierce show of bravery, sped with the device out of a crowded Times Square before taking the device out of their van and securing it, police said. It was then determined to be a hoax.

In the months since, Cybulski has been lauded for his heroism, most recently with the tribute at Jets Stadium.

Officers from New York and New Jersey ran from the tunnel with Jets players, holding the flag, and then Cybulski and Sgt. Armani were part of a group of officers and first responders honored while they stood in formation on the field next to the flag, he said.

"I was getting honored by my favorite team, the Jets, so I couldn't have been happier or any more excited," he said. "My family, girlfriend, and friends from college and high school all came to support me, so it was nice knowing they were there for me. It was also very humbling to be there with the family of fallen NYPD sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, as they were on the field for the coin toss."

He added, "I came very close to death with the bomb incident in July so I couldn't help but picture my family there, standing on the field, if God forbid, it was a real bomb."

This week marked the second time Cybulski stood on the Jets field, the first in 2010 when he was there representing the St. John's lacrosse team, as general manager, during the Big East championship. "It was just as amazing and incredible as I remembered it," he said.

Cybulski was also recently honored at a medal day for the 75th Precinct for two gun and robbery arrests he made when he worked there before transferring to the Times Square unit this February. "The arrests were also with Sergeant Armani, who was with me in the car for the bomb incident," he said.

Suffolk County accolades

Last month, Cybulski was also recognized by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, as well as Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini, Chief of Department Stuart Cameron and Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter.

Cybulski and Armani were honored during a special ceremony, during which the pair received the county's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal; the equivalent of the Medal of Honor, given by the military, Cybulski said.

He is only the 22nd person ever to receive the medal, Cybulski said. "It was such an amazing and humbling feeling to be presented with the medal. They all couldn't have been nicer and said the most heartfelt and encouraging words to my sergeant and me, and truly thanked us for our actions when dealt with such a scary and horrible situation," he said.

In addition, Cybulski added, "They praised our quick response and actions when faced with death and the fact that we were willing to give our lives to save thousands of strangers, which was amazing to them. They said we represent our NYPD department well and deserve all the honor and praise which was one of the nicest and humbling things to hear."

Saving others is his life's mission, Cybulski said, and the words spoken at the award ceremony reflected his deep dedication to serving others.

"I took this job to make a difference in someone's life and they said that we made a difference in millions of lives. We made worldwide news for our actions and represented all the brave and selfless officers that work around the nation and world every day," he said.

Reflecting on the July life-or-death incident, as he raced from Times Square with what could have been a ticking bomb in his squad car, Cybulski said, "I thank God every day that I am still alive to tell this amazing story."

He recounted those terrifying moments in time. "I'm so glad that no one got hurt. I know that there could have been a much different outcome but I'm so glad that we drove the bomb out of Times Square and that no one else got hurt. It was a terrifying few minutes, holding the bomb in my lap while my sergeant drove. I was ready for it to go off but glad that only he and I were going to die, and no one else. We said our prayers and waited together for it to go off. I was just praying that God would take care of my family and know that I did in my heart what I had to do and that they would understand and be proud of me."

Reflecting on that day, Cybulski added, "It would have been so easy for me to throw the bomb out of the car and run but my conscious wouldn't let me do that. I took this job to serve and protect the innocent and if that means giving my life to save someone else I'm okay with that."

During the tense day, the suspect sped off and was seen at Columbus Circle, leading to an hours-long standoff; police arrested Hector Meneses, 52, of Queens around 7:45 a.m. after he refused to leave his vehicle, donned a red helmet and sunglasses, according to news reports.

In the end, the device was believed to be a wax candle, a battery operated lantern, tin foil and a white piece of clothing.

Bundled up against the cold temperatures, Cybulski's girlfriend Brittany Rocco, his parents and friends were at Jets stadium to cheer on their hero this week.

"He was on the field with the other officers who were honored for their heroism and bravery," Rocco said. "It was an amazing pregame tribute to our first responders, and I can't lie — it made me proud of him all over again."

Her love, she said, was also awarded another two medals for excellent police duties, from a robbery arrest and gun arrest that he made while still in the 75th precinct. "Sorry if it sounds like I'm bragging, but I can't help it sometimes. He does such amazing things and is really so amazing at his job. I can't help but tell everyone who even slightly asks about him about how proud I am of him. Guess that's a girlfriend thing."

Photos courtesy of Brittany Rocco.