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Council Member Vallone Unveils Street Co-naming of 28th Avenue and
College Point Boulevard as Ptl. Phillip Cardillo Way
October 19, 2015
College Point – Council Member Paul Vallone joined New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner William Bratton in hosting a street co-naming ceremony in honor of Patrolman Phillip Cardillo who was tragically slain in the Harlem mosque incident on April 14th, 1972. On that day, Patrolman Cardillo and his partner Detective Vito Navarra were lured to a Harlem mosque with a false report of an officer in need of assistance. Upon entering the mosque, the officers were overwhelmed and attacked by a crowd inside. During the fray, Patrolman Cardillo was shot and killed with his own gun by a member of the Nation of Islam. In a decided break with tradition, neither Mayor John Lindsay nor NYPD Commissioner Patrick Murphy attended Patrolman Cardillo’s funeral. His death remains the only unsolved police killing in modern NYPD history.
For decades, many have fought for recognition for Patrolman Cardillo and his sacrifice, but previous efforts to dedicate a street in his honor have never moved forward. With Council Member Vallone’s legislation and unanimous support from Community Board 7, the NYC Council and the Mayor’s Administration, this long-awaited recognition has finally become a reality. At Monday’s ceremony, the co-naming of College Point Boulevard and 28th Avenue, outside of the new NYPD Academy, was officially unveiled as Ptl. Phillip Cardillo Way.
“Today our City has finally recognized Patrolman Cardillo’s sacrifice, co-naming 28th Avenue and College Point Boulevard, in front of the new Police Academy, in his honor,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Now, generations of new officers will look to the sign and know his story and legacy to the department. May this sign forever remind us of the sacrifices that the men and women of the NYPD are too often asked to selflessly make, as well as serve as a symbol that these sacrifices will never be forgotten. I am proud to have introduced the legislation for this co-naming as this recognition is long overdue. We have taken a big step towards righting the wrongs from 43 years ago.”
Hundreds of guests were in attendance at the moving ceremony which brought long awaited recognition to Patrolman Cardillo’s selfless sacrifice. Council Member Vallone welcomed the crowd and was followed with remarks from NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch and Patrolman Cardillo’s son, Todd Cardillo.
“This street naming has been a long time coming,” said Todd Cardillo, Patrolman Cardillo’s son. “It is a great honor to have the Cardillo name become a permanent part of New York City. This is not only an honor for me but it is an honor to all who have served with the NYPD.”
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