'Wonderful Person,' Fallen Long Island U.S. Army Sgt., To Be Remembered On Saturday

CENTEREACH, NY — New York Police Department Officer James "Jimmy" McNaughton loved being around people, especially at parties.

McNaughton was always the designated driver when he went out with his close-knit group of friends from the Centereach area where he grew up.

"He was always a party guy," childhood friend Vinny Zecca recalled. "But he didn't drink or do drugs — he didn't do any of that stuff."

Raised in a family of police officers, he was ever the straight arrow.

When McNaughton was called back into service with the United States Army and felled by a sniper's bullet in Iraq in 2005, his family and friends decided they wanted him to be remembered by helping others in need.

Not long after the 27-year-old's death, they started The James McNaughton Foundation to help raise funds for organizations that help not only veterans but police officers, and families. Over the years the foundation has rotated helping organizations like Tunnels to Towers Foundation and 911 Veterans.

The foundation's officers did not want any fundraiser to be a solemn occasion, though.

Instead, they have held more of a celebration of his life at Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh.

This Saturday, there will be a deejay spinning tunes, several live bands, a video tribute, a buffet, and plenty of good spirits. It will run from 1 to 7 p.m.and all donations collected will be given to the PTSD Veterans Association of Northport, Inc.

Every year is a good celebration.

"It ends up being a pretty fun day," said Zecca, who volunteers promoting the event.

McNaughton's life was last celebrated by a large group in 2020, so this year is expected to be even more special as everyone gathers.

The band, Plunge, with members, including several retired NYPD police officers, will play, as well as the NY Shields Pipes and Drums Band.

Along with a tribute to McNaughton, there will also be another for first responders lost in the last 20 years.

NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell is also expected to address the crowd.

Though it has been 17 years since his death, McNaughton's memory is still sharp in the minds of his brothers and sisters in blue.

The department has honored him in the past with social media posts on Facebook and Twitter.

"He served and protected our great country and our great city — and his sacrifice will never be forgotten," one post on Twitter read.

It ended with the Latin phrase, and the NYPD's motto, "Fidelis ad Mortem," or "Faithful unto death."

The way the annual fundraiser was started is not in the traditional way.

It doesn't honor McNaughton's birthday on April 13, or the day he fell on Aug. 2.

When organizers were in their initial planning stages, they knew they needed a big venue but they were also concerned about transportation for McNaughton's friends in Suffolk, Nassau, and New York City.

They chose Mulcahy's for its close location to the Long Island Rail Road.

The date was also a conundrum.

For logistical purposes, they ended up settling on the weekend before Super Bowl Sunday.

No one expected it to become as big as it has, but it's not surprising to Zecca.

"He was the most wonderful person that I ever met," he said. "He would take the coat off his back for anybody."