Senator Murphy Receives Prestigious Award From Retired Detectives Of The City Of New York

BRONX, NY – Before he was a Senator, Terrence Murphy served as an Emergency Medical Technician for eight years. He was awed by the heroic actions of his fellow first responders, who often eschewed their own safety to help those in need. This included the detectives he encountered, who doggedly pursued dangerous criminals and solved seemingly unsolvable cases. Since taking office, Senator Murphy has sponsored legislation that has helped safeguard the lives of police, firefighters, EMS and other first responders that serve the community. In recognition of his support, the Retired Detectives of the Police Department of the City of New York recently presented Senator Murphy with an ARDY award at a ceremony held at the F & J Pine Restaurant in the Bronx. The ARDY award is given to individuals and companies for outstanding service and commitment to the law enforcement community.

Detective Dennis Canale, whose actions saved the lives of two fellow detectives, was also honored at the awards ceremony. Detective Canale’s first heroic act involved his putting a stent into the collapsed lung of a detective that had been shot. His quick thinking facilitated the detective’s breathing and kept him from going into shock. On a second occasion, Detective Canale rushed to the aid of a detective that had been slashed in a melee. He applied direct pressure to the detective’s severed arteries, which slowed the bleeding.

“I am honored to have been presented with the Retired Detectives of New York ARDY award,” Senator Murphy said. “Even more humbling is that I was honored alongside Detective Canale, who heroically sprung into action on not one, but two occasions to save the life of a brother in uniform. God bless the NYPD.”

The ARDY award was named in honor of Lieutenant Arthur “Artie” Schultheiss, a Commanding Officer for the 14th Detective Squad in Manhattan during the 1960’s. Lt. Schultheiss, who entered the Bureau in 1945, had a reputation for knowing everything that went on within the confines of the 14th Squad and was a helpful mediary between the police and the press. He impressed upon his detectives that their mission was to “prove the innocence, as well as the guilt of persons who were suspect.”

Lt. Schultheiss was beloved by his men. To his day, retired detectives still meet for a luncheon called “Arthurs Round Table.” He was a hands-on supervisor with contacts ranging from the garment district to high profile celebrities, including Frank Sinatra. Lt. Schultheiss was so respected by Sinatra he was tabbed to serve as a technical advisor for two of old blue eyes’ cop films – 1968’s “The Detective” and 1980’s “The First Deadly Sin.”

Founded in 1955, the Retired Detectives of the Police Department of the City of New York came together for the sole purpose of continuing the camaraderie they shared as New York City Police Detectives. They donated to charities that would help the less fortunate citizens of the City of New York, a practice that continues to this day.