Fundamentals of Interactive Journalism

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.

Bagpipes and children were the mournful sounds of rememberance in uptown Manhattan Friday morning.

This marked the 20th anniversary for the deaths of two NYPD cops who were killed while in the line of duty.  Never in the history of NYPD, according to 34th Precinct Sgt. and President of the Little League, John Moynihan, has there been two officers handling different cases dying the same October night.  Phone calls to the 34th Precinct in Washington Heights that October evening were about the slain Michael J. Buczek and Christopher G. Hoban.

Because this is part of a project I’m doing, my partner and I decided to focus on the story of one cop, Michael J. Buczek.  Buczek was only 24 years old, working for about four years on the force as an undercover.  He and his partner were up against three drug lords when he was fatally shot by one of the suspects.

P.S. 48 on 187th Street was named after him, along with a nearby field where the Michael Buczek Little League practices and plays.  In addition, the school has student scholarships in honor of him.

Along with officers from the precinct and Buczek’s friends and family, the students from P.S. 48 lined up on the street and marched to St. Elizabeth Church, at 286 Wadsworth Avenue, where a memorial service took place Friday.  Police Commissioner Ray Kelly also attended and said a few words of respect.

Students of P.S. 48

Marie Leoniak, 65, of Brooklyn, has a son in the squad who knew Buczek.  She first met Buczek’smother after he dies.  ”We [parents] only meet after unfortunate things like this happen,” she said somberly.

Retired Sgt. Anton Kuzlowski of 32nd Precinct recalled meeting Buczek at a Polish get-together.  He commented on how Buczek was very active  and dedicated in protecting a community where he never grew up in, earning 40 citations and making many arrests in the short amount of time he worked.  He was especially known among children in the neighborhood.  ”Kids would come up to him and say, ‘Hey Michael, how’s it going’…the kids learned to look at police as friends, not the enemy,” said Kuzlowski.

To continue his dedication to Washington Heights, Buczek’s father, Ted Buczek helped initiate and coach the Little League.  Though he can’t visit often (he and his family live in NJ), he manages to contribute $10,000 every year, according to Assistant Coach Rick Huerta.

“A lot of the players have grown up to become police officers, too,” Huerta said.

Huerta, who attends the service every year, is much grateful to the Buczek family:

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Among the blue uniforms huddling outside of the church was Detective Andy Lewis.  Lewis provided an optimistic look to the gathering, adding another meaning to Kuzlowski’s quote of “making good out of something bad.”  He said like others, he spends more time at work than with his brothers and cousins.  ”These kind of events are like a family reunion.  You never forget about family.”

A plaque will be hung in 34th Precinct.