Oceanside man awarded NYPD medal

An Oceanside man received the New York City Police Department’s Distinguished Service Medal posthumously on June 11, after dying last year of illness related to Ground Zero recovery work.

Police Officer Denis McLarney was among six officers who were honored during the department’s Medal Day ceremony on June 11.

McLarney joined the New York City Police Department in July 1996, and began his career on patrol in the 73 Precinct in Brooklyn. He also served in the Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Task Force and the Brooklyn Court Section. During his 13-year career, he was recognized four times for Excellent Police Duty and once for Meritorious Police Duty.

Police Officer McLarney retired on December 31, 2009 and died on March 1, 2012, at the age of 49. Officials say that he died of cancer that resulted in his work rescuing victims on September 11, 2001 and then subsequent work on “the pile,” the ruins of the collapsed World Trade Center.

In February of 2010, McLarney spoke with a reporter from the Staten Island Advance.

“We put in 12- to 15-hour days,” said McLarney of his time at Ground Zero. “The air was acrid. You could see it, feel it, no matter where you were standing. I knew we were going to get sick, but you have to follow orders.”

Once healthy, McLarney said he was stricken with cancer, anemia, asthma and sleep apnea.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly presided over the Police Memorial Day ceremony at One Police Plaza in Manhattan.

“Today, we add six members of the world’s greatest police department to the Wall of Heroes,” said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “These officers rushed to assist us when we were in harm’s way, and they always put the safety of others above their own. We remember them with tremendous pride and gratitude – and we promise that none of them will ever be forgotten. It is because of officers like these that New York City is the safest big city in the nation today.”

“The six men we honor today were heroes,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. “They gave their lives in service to the public, to the cause of making New York City safe for all. Today they join the roll call of honor that is our Hall of Heroes.”

The Police Memorial Day was established by Congress in 1962 and proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

McLarney is survived by his wife, Doreen and two sons, Dylan and Devin.