By Rich Von Voigt
Police1 Member
I lost two heroes in the span of a single week.
First, I lost a dear member of my family — my wife’s father, Michael Drozd, a retired Navy and Marine Corp veteran.
My father in law was a great friend of all veterans of all branches of the military. Mike was a member of many veteran groups which included the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Fleet Reserve, Disabled Veterans of America, and Marine Corp League. He spent 30 years on the cemetery committee at Calverton National Cemetery here in New York. For 30 years he ran the ceremony for the wreath placement to remember those who died at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th 1941.
Mike was a WWII veteran and was 87 at the time of his passing. Mike never forgot where he came from.
He was a friend to every veteran that ever crossed his path. He was helpful at the Veterans Hospital in Northport Long Island and as a patient at that facility, that’s where he took his last breath, just in the fashion my father in law wanted it to be.
Mike never wanted to be a burden to his family or friends — Mike was a giver, never a taker. My memories of Michael Drozd will be held in my heart and soul till the day I die.
God bless Mike and God bless the USA.
Michael Drozd received full military honors at The Calverton National Cemetery and was proudly represented by all The Veteran Groups mentioned above, a fitting tribute to a great American Hero.
Not much more than a week later, I stood at attention again — this time for another Hero a Nassau County Police Officer Joseph Oliveri, a 19-year veteran of two departments (NYPD five years and Nassau County PD 14 years).
Officer Oliveri was investigating a motor vehicle accident when he was struck down by a vehicle at the scene.
Oliveri had two children — ages 18 and 21.
As I made my way through the rows of police officers attending his funeral I couldn’t help to notice how many departments showed up from all over — from the county and state, and neighboring cities and states — to pay their last respects to one of our own.
There was the Pipe Band from Suffolk and Honor Guard and a fly-over of police helicopters in a missing man formation. Of course, there was Taps the final goodbye.
I watched officers stand in silence. I watched hands being met by officers who haven’t seen or worked with each other in years.
I saw The media coverage taking place, the dignitaries moving about looking for signs of recognition, brass everywhere, and salutes being thrown around like rice at a wedding.
But the thing that will stick with me the most is the number of people who filled the sidewalks — the everyday people, the people who we protect, arrest, and sometimes just make miserable because we close down a road or refuse to let them pass because of police business.
They all stood in perfect silence trying to understand and absorb the emotion that was being displayed and shared by every officer in uniform, standing at attention for a fallen brother.
The people just looked and some had tears in their eyes, some blank expressions and others just milling about talking to each other (no disrespect was evident).
I will always take the time to thank a Veteran of our country and a brother or sister LEO, but I will never understand how anyone could not be moved or feel the need to lower their head in prayer and just take a minute to say thanks.
I’m now retired some 13 years now and I displayed my badges proudly for 30 years. I will never forget where I came from and I will always be ready to assist a Veteran — Mike would have wanted it that way.
I will always be ready to say goodbye to a fallen LEO, because I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I can never have an Inspectors Funeral because I’m now retired, and I hope I never have to attend another one again, but in the event that we must, I hope every officer who ever wore his or her badge proudly and professionally will remember to say goodbye and thanks.
Rich Von Voigt
