WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. June 12, 2010. WPCNR Transcript of Perry News Conference:
The death in the line of duty of White Plains Police Officer Michael Perry was announced Saturday evening at a news conference at the Department of Public Safety, with Mayor Adam Bradley and Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong briefing the media on Saturday afternoon’s incident preceding Officer Perry’s death.
Commissioner David Chong, at microphone, informing the media of Officer Michael Perry’s death Saturday evening.
Here is the transcript of that news conference:
White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety David Chong:
Good evening and thank you for coming out on such short notice. I’m joined by Mayor Adam Bradley and Chief of Police James Bradley and members of my staff.
A very sad night for the White Plains Police Department.
Today at approximately 4:41 this afternoon – Police Officer Michael Perry responded to an assist call. He began a foot pursuit and finally grabbed the suspect at Court and Main Street. After a physical struggle, officer Perry placed the suspect under arrest and walked him to the police station. While booking the suspect, Officer Perry developed chest pains. An ambulance was called immediately, and as he was being walked out to the ambulance, he collapsed. Officer Perry was taken to White Plains Hospital Center where unfortunately he was declared dead at 5:50 P.M.
The suspect’s name is Ricky Prior. He is 53 years of age, His address is unknown. He is a career criminal whose rap sheet has over 300 arrests. He is currently being booked for resisting arrest and petty larceny, although this investigation remains very active.
Michael Perry is 43 years of age and a 7-1/2 year veteran of this police department. He was formerly a member of the Environmental Police Department. He is a resident of Cortland Manor. He’s married. He has two six year old twin sons. His wife,sons, father,mother,sister, mother friends along with numerous members of his police department family were at his side at White Plains Hospital..
Make no mistake ahout it, Michael Perry is a hero. His death in the line of duty has hurt and shocked this department to its very core. This is the first line of duty that this department has suffered in over 60 years. Funeral arrangements have yet to be made. I will now introduce Mayor Adam Bradley.
Mayor Bradley Addressing Media on Officer Michael Perry’s death.
Mayor Adam Bradley:
I’m here to express the grief of the city for the loss of a hero. This is the first line of duty death in over 60 years in our city. We want to show our expression of grief and support for our police department and for the family—someone who certainly was way too young to be facing what we’re facing right now. As someone who has young children himself my heart goes out to the family. Certainly there isn’t a member of my administration or the Common Council who isn’t feeling the pain that our police department is feeling at this moment.
I intend to make sure that the city is present as much as possible for the department and the family going forward.
In response to questions from reporters, the Commissioner noted:
Prior was Wanted for larceny out of Macy’s, a detective had observed him, tried to stop him, he started to run. Officer Perry came to the assistance of that detective’s call. Officer perry was the one who apprehended him and ensued in the struggle with the suspect. Right outside Macy’s.
After the news conference, Antoinette Biordi, city Communciations Director issued this supplemental statement from the Mayor’s Office:
Perry is 43 years old and is a 7 and ½ year veteran of this Police Department. He was assigned to Uniform Patrol and was highly regarded by his supervisors and his peers. Commissioner David Chong says, “Michael Perry is a hero, his death has rocked this entire Police Department to its core. He loved being a Police Officer and he loved the City of White Plains. He will be greatly missed and our deepest condolences go out to his caring family. He could be relied upon to always back up a fellow police officer, as in this instance.”
White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley says “This city lost a very dedicated Police Officer and his death has sent shockwaves throughout our community. The White Plains Police Department works hard day in and day out to protect everyone in this city and that’s just what Police Officer Perry was doing.”
