Toddler Rescued from Burning Car Joins NYPD, Reunites with Lifesaving Officers
New York City: In a heartwarming reunion that unfolded like a script from a movie, a once 2-year-old girl saved from a burning car by two dedicated NYPD officers 28 years ago has come full circle, donning the same uniform that represents heroism and service to the community.
Denise Gomez, now an NYPD officer herself, met her childhood heroes, retired officers Eric Ocasio and Charles Claudio, in an emotional reunion that brought tears to the eyes of the seasoned detectives.
The remarkable story traces back to a fateful day in July 1996 on East 116th Street in East Harlem. Officers Ocasio and Claudio were on patrol when they noticed a car with gasoline gushing from the bottom. Acting swiftly, they approached the vehicle, unaware that their brave actions that day would create a bond lasting decades.
“The officers heard a poof!” shared Officer Carlos Nieves, the NYPD Public Information Assistant Commissioner. Rushing towards the source of the sound, they discovered a mother in distress, her two toddlers trapped inside as flames threatened to consume the vehicle.
Without hesitation, Ocasio and Claudio broke the car windows, risking their own safety to rescue the terrified family. Though Claudio suffered a sprained ankle, and Ocasio endured smoke inhalation, their selfless actions ensured that no lives were lost that day.
Fast forward to the present, Denise Gomez, the young girl pulled from the burning car, is now Officer Gomez. Her decision to join the NYPD was fueled by a single article documenting her rescue, a story of heroism that served as the catalyst for her own journey into law enforcement.
“I want to do what they did for me,” Gomez expressed with determination in her voice, reflecting the deep impact her rescuers had on her life.
In a surprise gesture, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban presented Gomez with Ocasio’s retired shield number, symbolizing not only the passing of time but the continuation of a legacy of service and bravery.
“To hear that she is part of the family and became an officer is a privilege, it’s an honor,” Claudio remarked, his emotions palpable as he witnessed the fruition of a story that started with a daring rescue almost three decades ago.
For Ocasio, the reunion was an unexpected but profoundly fulfilling moment. “I never imagined in my life that I would meet her,” he admitted, tears welling up in his eyes. “To me, it was just a job that we responded to, and we did what we had to do.”
As the trio shared tears, smiles, and stories, the remarkable journey of a rescued child becoming a rescuer herself unfolded
