STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — NYPD Det. Juliet Shields of Staten Island was praised for her compassionate work as a member of the Special Victims Unit and for singing the National Anthem at many events throughout the years prior to her death on Dec. 31.
Family, friends and members of the NYPD gathered for a funeral on Jan. 6 to celebrate the life of Shields, who died on her 50th birthday after serving with “The Finest” for about 20 years.
Shields, who was prompted to detective about 10 years ago, followed her father’s footsteps into the NYPD, where she excelled both in her work with the Special Victims Unit (SVU) and her duties with the Ceremonial Unit, said Paul DiGiacomo, a Staten Islander who is president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association.
She sang the National Anthem at various events around the city, including those honoring the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks.
“She was a very big part of this department in that not only did she serve in that very prestigious and very difficult unit (SVU), but she also contributed back with her beautiful voice by singing at numerous high-profile events and funerals for members of the NYPD,” said DiGiacomo said.
PERFORMED FOR PRESIDENT BUSH
Shields was one of the NYPD members who marked Sept. 11, 2006, by performing “America the Beautiful” for then-President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at an early-morning ceremony outside Ladder Co. 18/Engine Co. 15 on Pitt Street in Manhattan.
“It was humbling,” said Shields, then 32 years old and assigned to the 68th Precinct in Brooklyn, who was positioned about 30 feet away from where the president and first lady were standing. “I’ve never been that close to anyone that powerful.”
Shields was an exercise enthusiast and a member of the NYPD Running Club known for “her quirky sense of humor,” according to a post by the club on social media.
“It was with deep regret that we announce the passing of our friend and teammate Juliet Shields,” said a message on the…
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