O’Neill hails city heroes at benefit meal

THE CITY’S top cop praised the families of first responders at a Thanksgiving breakfast, as many prepared to spend the holiday without loved ones who were on-duty.

“We have great jobs, but I think as family members you have the most difficult jobs,” Police Commissioner James O’Neill told around 1,000 firefighters, police officers, EMTs and their families.

At the Bryant Park Grill, he said he was thankful for the city’s lowest crime rate since the 1950s.

“New York City is in a great place in November 2017, and none of that happens by accident,” he said.The 17th annual breakfast was organized by The First Responders Children’s Foundation, which provides scholarships. Recipient Elizabeth Lohle, 18, is a Boston College freshman studying sociology.

Her father, David Lohle, 57, can no longer work for the FDNY due to respiratory problems he developed working at Ground Zero.

“(I’m here) to honor my father, who was injured in the line of duty,” Elizabeth Lohle said. “It’s great see my family, to honor my dad, to share Thanksgiving with them.”