Slain cop honored — 100 years later
New York’s Finest don’t forget.
A Brooklyn street was renamed Sunday in honor of a slain hero cop who was gunned down while defending his Bay Ridge neighborhood from a gang of armed thieves — 100 years ago.
A stretch of 74th Street will now forever be known as Patrolman Arthur Loewe Way to memorialize the young officer who was killed on July 22, 1922, during a heated gun battle.
“The renaming is an incredible testament to one of our Finest and one of my finest,” said Mary Susillo, the slain officer’s niece, at the NYPD dedication ceremony at the corner of 74th Street and Fourth Avenue.
“The renaming is taking place on the block where generations of my family have lived,” Susillo said. “It means everything to know that my uncle, who died protecting his community at 26 years old, engaged to be married, that he’s remembered 100 years later in this way. He’s never forgotten.”
Loewe was a five-year veteran of the police force and on patrol when locals alerted him to a burglary in progress at 253 7th Ave., where he spotted the four thieves, that fated July day.
On duty by himself, Loewe got into a shootout with the armed burglars, killing one despite having to reload his sixshooter in a volley of about 30 rounds.
The young cop was hit four times and was later pronounced dead.
Unlike today’s cops, who patrol in pairs, the NYPD at the time carried out one-man patrols, said Police Department Deputy Inspector Ernesto Castro, commander of the local 72nd Precinct.
“Although Patrolman Loewe served with the department over 100 years ago, the street renaming is a true testament to the fact that the NYPD is a family,” Castro said. “We will never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
New York City Councilman Justin Brannan called Loewe “a legend.”
“Not everyone leaves such a mark on this city or such an impact on the community that warrants the street to be named after them for eternity,” Brannan said. “In just 26 short years, Arthur gave more than most will give in 100 years.”