NYPD rewards Indian American cop’s bravery with promotion

Indian American Sumit Sulan, the NYPD “super rookie” who shot the gunman who ambushed officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora in Harlem last month was promoted to detective Tuesday. 

Officer Sulan, 27 was presented with detective shield No. 332, “symbolizing three brothers from the 32 [Precinct],” Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during the ceremony, according to a clip posted to the top cop’s Twitter.  

“Today, I had the honor of promoting Police Officer Sumit Sulan to the rank of detective,” she said. “Like his partners, he is an example that police officers are ordinary people called upon to do extraordinary things — and they often do, risking everything. The action taken by Officer Sulan likely saved the lives of the other officers responding to that apartment.” 

Sulan had only been on the job since April — and at Harlem’s 32nd Precinct for two months — when he responded along with Rivera, 22, and Mora, 27, to the domestic violence call on West 135th Street that turned deadly. 

Lashawn McNeil, 47, opened fire without warning — gunning down Rivera and Mora — prompting Sulan to jump into action. 

Law enforcement sources dubbed Sulan the “super rookie” for his act of heroism. 

“When the shooting started, Officer Sulan directed the mother and brother into the kitchen to shield them away and advanced toward the hallway where the gunman had opened fire, taking him down as he prepared to open fire again,” Sewell said during the promotion. 

Image courtesy of Credit: NY Police Commissioner via Twitter

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