Brooklyn Tyke Thanks 88th Precinct Cops For Their Hard Work

Six-year-old Zachary Becerra came to the 88th Precinct Community Council meeting armed not just with a colorful ‘Thank You’ card, but also with his secret weapon: charm.

“Thank you,” he said to the officers in the crowd, holding the microphone hesitantly, pausing before adding, “I want to be a chief!

“A chief,” he repeated, in case anyone didn’t hear or believe him. “Thank you for all your hard work.”

Zachary was at the March 17 meeting as part of his tour of Brooklyn police precincts to thank officers — an idea that his mom, Rosa Ortiz, said started in December, at the same time there was an outpouring of support following the deaths of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.

On this visit, Zachary got gifts of thanks of his own: an NYPD hat, trophy, bag and medal, presented by 88th Precinct Captain Peter Fiorillo and newly appointed Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey.

Maddrey, who serves as commanding officer of Brooklyn North — which includes the 88th Precinct — said it was “a great feeling” to receive Zachary’s thanks and to get to meet him, from current chief to future chief.

“Our duty is to be good role models,” said Maddrey, who noted that being a cop began to carry more meaning to him “as I saw that I could help and make a difference. It kept me going.”

Fiorillo, commanding officer of the 88th Precinct, agreed. “It’s always nice to hear people, especially children, appreciate what we do,” he said.

Asked whether he knew he wanted to be a captain one day, and if he has his sights set on chief-ship, Fiorillo said “my father was a detective and talked me into the job, but it’s interesting that out of 35 [cadets] in our class, only five are still in the NYPD. So that says something about those of us still here. I would love to be a chief. There’s still fire in me.”