Following are statements from several local politicians and political hopefuls, including Curtis Sliwa, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Assemblyman Pirozzolo, and Assemblyman Fall regarding the police officer gunned down while off duty as a security guard in Manhattan at the headquarters of Blackstone and the NFL:
In Memory of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam – Assemblyman Charles Fall:
There are moments when words feel inadequate. This is one of them.
The passing of Officer Didarul Islam has left a deep ache in our city. It is not just the tragedy of his loss that stays with us, but the quiet strength he showed every day he chose to serve. He was a protector, a husband, a father, and a neighbor. He gave this city everything he had, and he did it without seeking recognition.
When someone signs up to serve in law enforcement, they don’t do it for headlines. They do it because they believe in something bigger than themselves. Officer Islam believed in that responsibility. He showed up each day for the people of New York with courage and commitment. That kind of service deserves to be seen, remembered, and honored.
As a father, I can’t help but think of his children and the grief they now carry. I think of the strength his wife must summon each day. There’s no comfort that can make a loss like this easier, but I hope they know that this city mourns with them. And I hope they feel the love and gratitude surrounding their family.
Officer Islam’s story is a reminder that public service is not just a job. It is a calling. Behind every badge is a life filled with hopes, routines, and responsibilities. Behind every shift is a family waiting at home.
In his honor, let’s continue to support the people who put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe. Let’s stand by the families who sacrifice alongside them. And let’s carry forward the legacy of compassion, strength, and duty that Officer Islam represented every day.
May his memory never fade. And may his loved ones feel the support of a city forever grateful.
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo:
My heart is broken tonight as we learn that five people were killed in this evening’s shooting in Midtown Manhattan, including a member of our NYPD.
As we await more details, please say a prayer for the families of those who were lost and for those who are fighting for their lives. Thank you to the heroic first responders who rushed to the scene and jumped into action.
Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa:
“I was beyond honored to stand with Officer Didarul Islam’s brothers and sisters in blue today in Parkchester to honor his life, service, and ultimate sacrifice.
Officer Islam gave everything to protect our city with unwavering courage, selflessness, and dedication.
My deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones, and the entire NYPD. I will always stand with the men and women in blue.
We desperately need more police, and that was the message I heard loud and clear from the officers who attended his funeral.” Curtis Sliwa
Rep. Ritchie Torres:
In solemn remembrance of the victims of the Midtown Manhattan shooting: Officer Didarul Islam of the Bronx, Aland Etienne, Wesley LePatner, and Julia Hyman.
Assemblyman Fall also honored the memories of the others killed that day:
Remembering Wesley LePatner, Julia Hyman, Aland Etienne
We often move through life assuming that tomorrow will come. We make plans, we send messages we expect to follow up on, we walk into work not thinking that it could be our last day. That’s what makes tragedies like this so painful. They shatter the ordinary, and they leave families and communities searching for answers that never come.
Wesley LePatner, Julia Hyman, and Aland Etienne were not strangers to us. They were New Yorkers. They were part of the daily rhythm of our city. They had people who loved them, dreams they were still working toward, and routines they never thought would be interrupted.
Each one of them mattered. And each one of them was taken far too soon.
When lives are lost to senseless violence, we can’t allow their stories to fade into statistics or headlines. We owe it to their families, their friends, and their memories to pause, to grieve, and to say their names out loud. Wesley. Julia. Aland. Their lives had meaning. Their presence made this city better.
I think about the people who sat beside them at work, the loved ones who expected them home, the friends who are now left to carry the weight of absence. Loss on this scale is impossible to put into words, but we honor it by remembering that these were real people who deserved so much more time.
As a community, we mourn together. And as a city, we must recommit ourselves to creating a world where safety is never taken for granted, where compassion guides our policies, and where human life is always held sacred.
May the memories of Wesley, Julia, and Aland live on in the hearts of those who knew them. And may this city never forget the light they brought into the world.
Mayor Adams said the following during an announcement about improvements in public safety:
“New York City is grieving this week after the tragic loss of four innocent lives — including an NYPD officer — in a senseless shooting in Midtown. As we mourn, we must also find ways to turn our pain into purpose; it’s the least we can do to honor the victims. While this incident will forever be a stain on our city, it happened against the backdrop of a larger, more hopeful picture — one where the brave men and women of the NYPD continue to drive down crime,” said Mayor Adams.
Banner Image: Memorial graphic. Image Credit – Curtis Sliwa
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