To listen to veteran NYPD Det. Thomas Cerbone inform it, a latest 9/11-linked kidney most cancers analysis was “only a bump within the street” of a proud 42-year legacy as one in every of New York’s Best.
Cerbone, 62, a bike cop and the senior energetic uniformed member on the drive, did greater than serve the neighborhood — he modified the lives of among the Huge Apple’s most susceptible youngsters.
It’s been 12 years since he based the annual Santa Day on the Seton Basis for Studying, a Staten Island faculty for teenagers with particular wants. And the custom continues to this present day.
“After I was put up for detective, there have been 10 officers up and just one from Freeway 5, and I obtained it,” he advised The Put up. “When that occurred I mentioned I obtained to pay this ahead. I obtained to do one thing to offer again. And I went to go see if we may do one thing with the varsity.
“It was like I used to be presupposed to go in there and do that,” Cerbone mentioned. “And it really works. Santa rides within the van the bikes are just like the Reindeer and the children go loopy. It makes their complete vacation season.”
On Tuesday, he acquired a standard “stroll out” at Freeway 5 headquarters on Staten Island along with his spouse, Lori Ann Cerbone and their 27-year-old daughter, Chrissta, at his aspect.
Raised in Brooklyn, Cerbone is the son of an NYPD detective and the brother who served as a metropolis correction officer earlier than passing away a number of years in the past.
He joined the NYPD in January 1984, and was assigned to the Midtown North Precint one yr later.
In October 1995, he joined Freeway 2 after finishing wheel faculty, and moved to Freeway 5 5 years later. In 2005, he moved to the transportation unit earlier than returning to the freeway squad.
His service was rewarded in 2017 when he was promoted to second-grade detective, and once more in November 2023 when he made first-grade.
Lower than two years in the past, he was recognized with most cancers, which has been tied to his service at Floor Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror assaults in Decrease Manhattan.
It hasn’t dampened his love for the division, and now calls himself its primary recruiter.
“Each time I meet somebody I promote this job,” he mentioned. “I’m their primary recruiter. I’m at all times asking folks did you’re taking the NYPD take a look at? I’m continuously recruiting.
“Typically it’s the individuals who seem like they don’t actually maintain the NYPD within the highest regard I spend essentially the most time speaking to them,” he added. “I inform them about my expertise. I inform them about how they may give again, how they might help their communities get higher and higher.”
The veteran cop mentioned he’s leaving the drive grudgingly — he mentioned he’s solely calling it a profession as a result of he’s about to hit necessary retirement.
He mentioned there’s solely two issues he’s trying ahead to — not having to set his alarm for 4:15 a.m., and, surprisingly, buying and selling in his police bike for a automobile after a long time on two wheels.
“I’m too previous for it,” he quipped. “I want warmth, AC, music.”
