Children of late NYPD officer to honor his memory at National Dominican Day Parade
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The children of a late NYPD officer are following in their father's footsteps.
Officer Manuel Jimenez died from cancer in 2001. His son, who is now a police captain, welcomed his sister onto the force on Wednesday and the proud family is ready to continue another tradition on Sunday at the National Dominican Day Parade.
"It was surreal, it was one of the best days of my life to date," said Officer Ashley Jimenez.
Jimenez, assigned to the 52nd Precinct, graduated from the police academy on Wednesday.
She had been writing her own story - until now.
"I was actually a journalist for about 10 years, but there was always something in the back of my mind," she said.
Her father died almost 25 years ago of stomach cancer. The 10-year veteran was only 31 years old.
"It wasn't until his funeral where I realized, wow, my dad was a really big deal, you know, he came out of the church and there were lines of so many members of the service outside saluting him," said his son, Capt. Antonio Jimenez.
As two of this three children now follow in their father's footsteps, Capt. Jimenez was there to pin his sister's shield.
"Now sharing my dad's shield number 14733, it's a wholesome moment because I helped raise her when we lost my dad," Antonio Jimenez said.
For the Jimenez family, this is about honoring a tradition in more ways than one.
They are proud Dominicans and as the city prepares to celebrate the Dominican Day Parade, the siblings are recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of those before them.
"Even his legacy, 25 years later, it lives on, and I want to show that for all communities, but specifically the Hispanic community," Antonio Jimenez said.
ABC 7 New York is a proud sponsor of the National Dominican Day Parade, and will stream the event on abc7NY.com, our mobile and connected TV apps, and on YouTube starting at noon Sunday.
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