Play Ball- In Memory Of
On the night of October 18th, 1988, Police Officer Michael Buczek was killed while working undercover on a drug bust in Washington Heights. One of the two suspects shot him while fleeing the scene.
Twenty years later, members of the 34th Precinct and children from P.S. 48 Michael J. Buczek School in Washington Heights attended a memorial service held at St. Elizabeth’s Church on 181st Street.
A little league has been named after the slain cop, along with the playground where they practice. Many of the precinct officers are coaches of the football and baseball teams. It’s their way of continuing Buczek’s legacy of protecting the neighborhood.
Though Washington Heights is not considered as dangerous as twenty years ago, Rick Huerta, VP of the Little League, said, that they strive to keep kids off, not on the streets. As a result, children gain a different outlook on authorities, seeing them as friends, rather than “out to get them.”
Many never met Buczek, but young team members are grateful that the Buczek family helped in donating money to fix up the once dirt field they now play on.