With New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neil, City Council Member Chaim Deutsch and three precinct commanding officers on hand, the late Auxiliary Assistant Chief Anthony “Tony Christo” Christodoulakis was certainly smiling down from heaven yesterday evening.
The event was the dedication ceremony of the purchase of three new auxiliary police vans to units in the 60th, 61st and 70th precincts care of a $125,000 Deutsch discretionary allocation through last year’s city Fiscal Budget FY’17.
But it was the memory of Christo, a 44-year veteran of the NYPD Auxiliary Unit, who served in six precincts across Brooklyn South and becoming the first Chief of the Department before suffering a stroke last year and passing away last December 6 that brought all the officials out.
“Tony Christo was always around, popping up at City Council meetings, leading details and always teaching and mentoring his fellow volunteers. Tony never said ‘no’ to anyone and pulled off the impossible every time. The NYPD was his life and he lived it to the fullest,” recalled Deutsch.
“Our city is fortunate to have the best auxiliary program in the nation. They are the best of the best but without the proper tools, you can’t be as effective,” the lawmaker added.
Auxiliary Unit Policemen are a volunteer force (non-paid policemen) who are trained to observe and report conditions requiring the services of the regular police through foot, vehicle and bicycle patrols. However, whenever possible, they do assist in non-enforcement and non-hazardous duties.
Deutsch was also quick to point out District 48 as having undergone one of the highest crime reduction rates in the city.
O’Neil credited the work of all police officers across the City for their hard-work and effort in reducing crime rates over the last year.
“Crime reduction doesn’t happen by accident, it happens as a result of hard work. It’s the precinct commanders, the cops who go out there each and every day and put their lives on the line. The Auxiliary Police play a big part in that safety, I appreciate you and so do your commanders,” said O’Neil.
One of Christo’s close friends and fellow Auxiliary cop, 61st Auxiliary Captain, Gene Singer was sure to point out Christo’s dedication and commitment to the unit.
“Years ago, NYPD Chief [Charles] Scholl, once smilingly asked us (auxiliary policemen), “does Tony realize that he’s not a real chief? The answer was given to him, “No. Tony thinks he is the Chief,” said Singer.
More than 150 Auxiliary Policemen and women were in attendance at the ceremony including Christo’s goddaughter and her husband, Kathy and Peter Cheregotis.
Also in attendance from the NYPD were Inspector Phyllis Byrne, 60th Precinct commanding officer Inspector William Taylor, 61st Precinct commanding officer Captain James King, and 70th Precinct commanding officer Inspector James Palumbo.
