IN MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN HEROES
STEPHEN P. DRISCOLL MEDAL OF VALOR
| The Medal
of Valor is presented in the honor of Law Enforcement
Officers who have made the 'supreme sacrifice' by giving
their life in the line of duty. The presentation is made annually
during the New York State Shields Police Memorial Breakfast in May - National
Police Month. We pay homage to those families of law enforcement
officers who were killed in the previous year, along with those who made
the ultimate sacrifice many years ago. This is in keeping with our
goal; to remind these special families, that their extended law
enforcement family will never forget the contribution that they and
their lost loved one have made to society. |
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S. GARY SCHILLER PURPLE HEART
 The Purple Heart is the oldest American
military decoration of military merit, originally established by George
Washington in 1782. It was awarded to members of the United States
Armed Forces who had been killed or wounded in action against the enemy.
The New York State Shields 'Purple
Heart' medal was
designed in 1990 for the purpose of honoring law enforcement officers
who have been wounded in the line of duty. Inspiration for this
medal was due in large part to Shields member, S. Gary Schiller, a World
War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was seriously wounded
during the historic D-Day Invasion. Gary, a past New York
Commander of the U.S. Military Order of the Purple Heart, has led us in
the Pledge of Allegiance at our annual memorial breakfast and general
membership meetings.
 Our great friend, S. Gary Schiller
passed away on March 26, 1999. We are forever indebted to him for
his dedication to the New York State Shields and to his valor in service of
our country. The New York State Shields dedicate the 'Purple Heart' medal
to our friends memory and to all U.S. Military personnel killed or
wounded in action.
Pictured are John Ryan, David Podracky and S. Gary
Schiller |
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
 The Distinguished
Service Cross is a unique
medal, established by the New York
State Shields to honor the memory of a
fallen hero, Michael E. Neuner, Sr. The Distinguished
Service Cross is awarded to
officers who have been severely injured in the line of duty.
Michael E. Neuner began his
law enforcement career with the Westchester County N.Y., Department of
Corrections, moving on to the Putnam County ,N.Y. Sheriff's Office and
finally to the City of Peekskill, N.Y. Police Department. In 1996
he was named as Putnam County's ' Police Officer of the Year'.
Throughout his career, Michael was also a volunteer fireman, having
served with several area departments settling in with the Brewster, N.Y.
Fire Department.
Michael died on Sunday, June 22,
1997 as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a residential
structure fire. Michael Neuner is a stellar example of someone who
wanted to give as much as he could, when and whenever he served. In
establishing the Distinguished
Service Cross medal the New
York State Shields endeavor to ensure that Michael's legacy of heroism and
service will never be forgotten. |
Michael E. Neuner, Sr.
 In November of 1997, the New York
State Shields announced the first recipient of this new medal : New York City
Police Department - Police Officer Neil Forster; who was seriously
injured in the line of duty. Tragically, less than one month later
on December 11, 1997 after a heroic year long battle Neil Forster died
from complications relating to the injuries he had suffered in the line
of duty. The Distinguished Service Cross
medal was established to honor the memory of a fallen hero, it now
stands to memorialize two heroes, both having made the 'supreme
sacrifice'.
The New York State Shields pledge their commitment to the memory of Michael
& Neil and to the surviving families of these true
heroes.
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