Watch Suffolk County Police Participate in '22 Push Up Challenge' in Honor of Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, members of the Suffolk County Police Department took part in participating in the 22 Push Up Challenge.

"On Veterans Day, as we should each and every day, we thank and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have proudly, courageously and selflessly served in our great nation's armed forces," Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini said. “As a police department that employs many veterans, the Suffolk County Police Department supports and cares deeply about all active and former service members of our nation’s armed forces."

On Friday, total of over 200 sworn officers and recruits from the local police academy participated in the challenge to raise awareness of the devastating effects of PTSD and the high suicide rate, averaging 22 per day, among U.S. military veterans.

The participants formed the number 22, with an underline, performed 22 push ups on the grass at the track at the Suffolk County Police Academy in Brentwood.

After accepting the challenge from the Nassau County Police, the Suffolk County Police Department nominated the FBI to participate.

"The Suffolk County Police Department is proud to have hundreds of veterans in our ranks who traded one uniform for another, bringing their skill, professionalism and strong sense of duty back home to serve our communities as police officers," Sini said. "It is an honor and a privilege to have these men and women serve in our ranks, working 24/7 to keep the residents of Suffolk County safe."

Participating in the challenge was especially meaningful for SCPD Marine Bureau Officer Brian Dwyer, whose younger brother, PFC Joseph P. Dwyer, an Army combat medic, suffered from PTSD after returning home from serving in Iraq. He took his own life in 2008.

In his honor, the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency launched the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, a program run by veterans to help fellow veterans readjust to civilian life and receive the support they need.

Watch a video of the participants taking part in the challenge posted on the Suffolk County Police Department Facebook page below.