Senator Stewart-Cousins Honors Detective Kayla Maher as 35th District's 2018 Woman of Distinction

Albany, NY - Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins honored Detective Kayla Maher from the City of Yonkers as the 2018 Woman of Distinction from the 35th Senate District in New York State.

This distinction is given to exceptional women who have demonstrated excellence and improved the lives of residents in their communities and throughout the state. The New York State Senate acknowledged her many contributions during a ceremony in Albany on Tuesday.

“Detective Kayla Maher is a phenomenal woman and a true hero,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “Last year, Kayla responded to a call with her partner about a suspicious vehicle, and as they approached, they came under fire, and Kayla was shot in the face. Thankfully, Kayla made a full recovery, and she has since been promoted to Detective. She continues to serve the residents of Yonkers in this capacity, and her commitment to protecting her community is unyielding. She is an exceptional woman and and inspiration to me personally - and she has truly earned her place among the 2018 Women of Distinction.”

Kayla was born in the Bronx as one of four children to New York Police Department Officer Susan Barry and Michael Maher. She attended Lincoln High School and upon graduation studied at Dominican College. During each of her spring breaks, she volunteered with Habitat For Humanity, helping people in underprivileged areas and those whose lives had been impacted by natural disasters. After graduating in 2013, she made the decision to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a police officer. In 2015, she joined the Yonkers Police Department, working as a Patrol Officer in the Third Precinct.

Detective Maher’s life changed forever on September 25, 2017, during her second year with the Yonkers Police Department. She and her partner responded to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle outside of a residence in Yonkers. Kayla and the other officers were shot at when they approached the car, and Kayla herself was shot in the face. She was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx and eventually made a complete recovery. Kayla kept her spirit and humor up during the recovery process, as she was committed to returning to work as soon as she was cleared.

In 2018, Kayla was promoted to Detective, and the Detectives Crime Clinic of Metropolitan New Jersey and New York named her an “Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional.” She also received the 2018 Law and Order Front Line Award. She is a member of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester and the Fraternal Order of the Police.