HERO LIVES ON
Tribute to sarge as cop he saved has a baby
LITTLE WILLOW has an angel on her shoulder — an NYPD sergeant who saved her daddy’s life.
Lt. Emmanuel (Manny) Kwo announced the birth of his daughter on Saturday, and at the same time honored the memory of Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, who died saving his life during a Bronx shootout in 2016.
“Thank you for being my hero & angel that day,” Kwo wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “B’cuz of you, I got to meet my angel, my daughter, Willow.”
Kwo attached pictures of the little cherub, cradling a patch reading, “Never Forget Sgt. Paul J. Tuozzolo.”
Willow was born last Monday, according to the social media post.
“You are truly the finest of us all,” Kwo wrote of Tuozzolo. “May you continue to Rest In Peace, Warrior. Because of you, she’s here.”
Kwo, 32, suffered a graze wound when ex-con Manuel Rosales opened fire on cops approaching Rosales’ jeep on Bronx River Ave. on Nov. 4, 2016. Tuozzolo, 41, yelled “Gun, gun, gun!” when he and Kwo spotted Rosales. The shout gave Kwo precious warning and likely saved his life, officials said. Tuozzolo, a 19-year NYPD veteran, was shot and killed during the ensuing exchange, leaving behind his wife, Lisa, and two small children.
Since her husband’s death, Lisa Tuozzolo has become active with the NYPD and is often found at department events and promotions.
She was on hand to congratulate Kwo in February 2017 when he was elevated to lieutenant during a promotion ceremony.
“My heart has happiness for Manny and Sherry Kwo,” Tuozzolo said. “Not a day goes by that I think of my own children who are now 5 and 6 without their daddy, but Willow Christina will live surrounded in joy, happiness, and love by her parents.”
“Tragedy puts the meaning and value of life into perspective,” she wrote. “I show my boys every day that we must persevere over any obstacles and keep going. And now they have a new baby ‘cousin’ to teach the importance of strength and love.”