City cops retiring Hernandez’s number

The NYPD football team will hold a pre-game ceremony Saturday to retire the No. 20 jersey of the late Officer Eric Hernandez, a former standout at Manville High.

By: Charlie Olsen
   The New York Police Department (NYPD) football team will be holding a pre-game ceremony Saturday at SUNY Maritime’s Reinhart Field in the Bronx to retire the No. 20 jersey of late NYC police Officer Eric Hernandez.
   The pre-game tailgate begins between 2 and 3 p.m. and the ceremony — which will feature the NYPD ceremonial unit and members of the family of the former Manville High School standout — will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the kickoff.
   According to Detective Edward Gardner, Officer Hernandez was an asset to the team.
   "In the game against Phoenix, we lost the lead and he said give me the ball and we’ll win — that’s what happened," Mr. Gardner said. "He was well-respected, well-spoken and well-liked."
   Officer Hernandez graduated from Manville High School in 1999 where he played as a running back on the school’s football team, the Mustangs, for four years.
   He attended college at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., where he also played football as No. 20. He graduated four years later. In July 2004, he joined the NYPD and was assigned to the 52nd Precinct.
   "Eric was always a great person and very personable," said high school friend Kristin Campilango. "He always enjoyed helping others."
   Ms. Campilango said that his helping nature made becoming a police officer a natural transition for Officer Hernandez.
   However, on Jan. 28, six young men in a restaurant in the Bronx beat him up. When he drew his weapon on one of the men he believed to be involved, two uniformed police officers asked Officer Hernandez — who was out of uniform — to drop his weapon, he did not respond and an officer shot him three times.
   Officer Hernandez died on Feb. 8 in St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.
   "It’s a wonderful way to honor Eric’s memory and help raise money for a scholarship that has been established in his name," said Ms. Campilango. "Eric was a great person with a kind heart who enjoyed life and all the people around him. Eric loved his family, his job, the NYPD Football team and his friends."
   The proceeds from the football game will benefit a scholarship established in Officer Hernandez’s name. Tickets are $10. Children under 12 years old are admitted free of charge.
   According to Brett Friedman, assistant general manager, carpooling is advised because parking will be limited and a large turnout is expected.
   Ticket information is available from Mr. Friedman at (917) 414-8386
   Directions to the game are available at: www.sunymaritime.edu
   NYPD football information is available at: www.nypdfootball.com