New York grieves over the death of a good cop.
Officer Peter Figoski was doing his duty, as he had for 22 years, when he was gunned down outside a dilapidated Brooklyn apartment where he was responding as backup to a robbery call.
An unknown author once wrote a poem called “A Police Officer’s Prayer” – and the words evoke the life and tragic death of this man who devoted his life to serving the people of our city:
“Lord I ask for courage
Courage to face and
Conquer my own fears…
Courage to take me
Where others will not go…
I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others
And strength of spirit to lead others….”
Hundreds of officers, along with the officer's four daughters, gathered at the hospital where Figoski died on Monday.
Figoski was a cop’s cop, his fellow officers said. Family and neighbors said he was a devoted dad who lived for his family.
When Figoski’s body was moved from the hospital, scores of police officers stood at attention and saluted.
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The 75th precinct was draped with purple and black mourning bunting, where officers have been stunned since the loss of their beloved colleague.
That unknown author concluded his poem with the words: “I ask for dedication, dedication to my job to do it well, dedication to my community to keep it safe….Give me Lord, concern for others who trust me and compassion for those who need me…
“And please, Lord, through it all, be at my side.”
