May 23, Queens, NY, The Turkish Cultural Center (TCC) organized its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation and Awards Reception in Queens, NY. A Turkish-American New York police officer from NYPD, Onur Cumur, was awarded for successfully saving a 10 years old girl from a burglar while the victim was threatened by a knife on her throat.
The reception included around 100 attendees including police officers, attorneys, and judges. In addition to police officer Onur Cumur, Assistant Chief Attorney Mariela P. Herring and NYPD Assistant Chief David Barrere, and two detectives have been awarded at the event.
Onur Cumur explains his experience to the Turkish newspaper Zaman Amerika; after receiving an emergency call from a Chinese restaurant about a hostage 10 years old child, Cumur enters the crime scene with his police officers, and they start to chase and finally catch the thief.
While explaining his case, Cumur humbly states that he does not consider what he did as an act of bravery but only as a necessary part of his job. “I was supposed to do my job, so I did.”
Cumur also explains his love and passion for his job. He emphasizes on the satisfying aspects of being a police officer in addition to its hardships and danger. “I came to this country at age 17 with my family and I have been a police officer for four years. I love my job and I would not have wanted to be anything else if not a police officer.” Cumur also suggests other Turkish-Americans to become police officers.
One of the other award recipients, NYPD Assistant Chief David Barrere, also gave a short speech after receiving his award. Mentioning that he has attended previous TCC events, Barrere expressed his gratitude to TCC for its valuable organizations that include not just police officers, but also religious leaders from varying beliefs, scholars, artists, and politicians. “TCC has provides trust to the society by opening its heart to everyone.”
After the short talks, the attendees of the reception took pictures with the president of TCC Queens, Sinan Asa and vice president Oguzhan Turan.
