Local Cop Who Saved Drowning Teen In Florida Honored At City Hall

Rachel Silberstein -
Officer Mammon honored at City Hall. (Photo courtesy of Councilman Mark Treyger)

Councilman Mark Treyger honored 60th Precinct Officer Albert Mammon at a City Hall ceremony Wednesday for saving a drowning teen while on vacation in Florida last month.

During the ceremony, which included speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and members of Officer Mammon’s family, Treyger presented the hero cop with a City Council proclamation and thanked him for his efforts to keep the public safe and for representing the NYPD in such high regard.

“Officer Mammon did not hesitate to run into the water and help a complete stranger, despite the clear danger and risks he faced,” said Treyger. “His actions have once again shows that the men and women of the NYPD truly are never off-duty and are always ready to assist someone in need.”

Officer Mammon was vacationing in Bal Harbour last month when he heard screaming coming from the ocean. He ran towards the water and saw 17-year-old Christopher Tran struggling to stay afloat far from the shoreline. Officer Mammon jumped into the choppy water and swam towards the teenager, along with several other rescuers. They helped get Christopher onto a surfboard and safely back to the beach.

Officer Mammon is the child of immigrants who came to Brooklyn from Russia to escape religious persecution. He grew up in Southern Brooklyn and is a graduate of Sheepshead Bay High School and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Since joining the NYPD in 2001 as an officer with the 62nd Precinct, Officer Mammon earned a number of honors and accolades, including the NYPD Exceptional Merit Police Award for returning fire on an armed robbery suspect and taking him into custody several years ago. Currently assigned to Coney Island’s 60th Precinct, he is credited with revitalizing the Auxiliary Officer program.

As we’ve reported, Officer Mammon is also the son of a Sheepshead Bay legend: “singing barber” Mr. Figaro, a Borscht Belt performer turned hairstylist who, until recently, owned a storefront on Avenue Z.

Officer Mammon thanked City Council and Treyger for the honor on Wednesday.

“It was very touching to have my proclamation read aloud in City Hall. I became an officer to help our city and to help everybody I could, and every officer I work with would have done the same thing. There is so much that every officer does that doesn’t come to light, so I appreciate this honor,” he said.