Photos courtesy of the NYPD
Fallen school crossing guard Krystyna Naprawa was posthumously promoted by the NYPD to the rank of community coordinator during a ceremony at One Police Plaza on Thursday attended by her family, friends and dozens of colleagues.
The 14-year veteran was killed while on duty on the morning of Oct. 20 after safely guiding children across a busy intersection on Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue in Woodhaven. Moments later, Naprawa was struck by a turning dump truck that proceeded to run her over. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene.
“By all accounts, Community Coordinator Naprawa cherished her job as an NYPD School Crossing Guard,” Police Commissioner Edward Caban said. “She loved the familiar faces she saw each day, and she loved sharing warm greetings with all New Yorkers she helped along their daily routes. Importantly, she knew that nothing was more critical — or more honorable — than keeping our kids safe.”
Following the fatal collision, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo supported the Department of Transportation’s move to install a right turn signal at the intersection to prevent future tragedies at the location.
“I commend the NYPD for posthumously honoring Krystyna Naprawa with a promotion and ceremony honoring her years of service as a crossing guard protecting the members of our community,” Addabbo said. “It is tragic that she was fatally killed in a traffic accident. It was a tremendous loss for her family, friends, co-workers , and all the residents whose lives she touched every day.”
Council Member Joann Ariola knew Naprawa personally, having lived in the same Lindenwood neighborhood, and the Polish immigrant would often visit her district office while on coffee breaks. Ariola will be hosting a street co-naming in her honor on what would have been her 64th birthday on Sept. 28 at the intersection where she was killed.
Ariola thanked the NYPD and the Mayor’s office for the promotion ceremony…
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