Harrison Honors Local Hero at "Blue Mass"

WEST HARRISON - A special honoree highlighted this year's third annual "Blue Mass" at St. Anthony's of Padua Church in West Harrison, as the town recognized a local hero.

Hundreds gathered to honor wounded New York City Police Officer Robert Salerno, 25, a West Harrison man who is recovering after being shot three times on March 22 while on duty in the Bronx.

The crowd erupted in applause numerous times during the Mass as Rev. Christopher Monturo shared stories about the heroic acts of Salerno and the four other officers who were in the room the day of the shooting. 

"Tonight we are very happy to honor one of our own parishioners, police officer Bobby Salerno," Monturo said before the Mass. "He has made a miraculous recovery and we are just very happy to be able to celebrate his recovery here tonight."

The "Blue Mass" has been a part of churches spread throughout the country since the 1930s, but has only been celebrated in West Harrison for three years. It is a special service that honors local police officers, firemen, government officials and EMS workers.

Hundreds of uniformed local officers from each organization filled the front pews of the packed church during the service.

"Proud, it's one word, proud. It's for all of us, the police, the firemen and the EMS," Salerno said before the Mass, as he gestured to the officers who where in the Bronx apartment with him when he was shot. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

During the Mass, Monturo recalled when Harrison Police provided him with a police escort to New York City to see Salerno the day of the shooting. He said that he will never forget the hundreds of officers he saw in the hospital.

He also read statements from New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York State Governor David Paterson, all of whom praised Salerno and his fellow officers for their heroic acts.

"I have no doubt that as officer Salerno moves forward in his recovery, he will draw great strength and comfort from his family, friends and fellow parishioners," Kelly said in his statement.

That appeared to be the case on Friday, as Salerno was all smiles throughout the two-hour service.

At the conclusion of the Mass, a plethora of awards and certificates were handed out to each of the officers. Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh even pronounced May 30 "Police Officer Robert Salerno Day" in the Town and Village of Harrison.

Harrison also welcomed Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican ambassador to the United Nations. After the Mass, Migliore joined Monturo outside and the two were lifted by a fire truck over the crowd to bless a street full of police, fire and EMS vehicles.

During the service, Monturo said that the men and woman whom the Mass honored do the work of angels, protecting us from evil and keeping us safe. He added that he once explained to a friend that the "Blue Mass" is a religious event because these people defend us from evil on a daily basis.

"Jesus spent most of his time answering distress calls too," he said.