Slain Cop's Father Honored In Washington Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The father of a New York City police officer who was killed in the line of duty in Washington Heights was honored in the neighborhood over the weekend.

The intersection of Amsterdam and Fort George Avenues was co-named Ted Buczek Way on Saturday, city officials said. Buczek was the father of 34th Precinct officer Michael J. Buczek, who was killed on Oct. 18, 1988 when he and his partner attempted to arrest two men on a drug charge in an apartment building on West 161st Street.

The elder Buczek made it his mission to give back to the Washington Heights community after his son was killed, city officials said. He founded the Police Officer Michael Buczek Foundation and the Michael Buczek Little League.

The little league serves about 500 Washington Heights children each year,city officials said.

Police officers, including many from the 34th Precinct, volunteer their time to coach the teams. The league is unique in that team jerseys do not feature the players' names on them. Instead, they have the names of NYPD officers who died in the line of duty.

Many officers, former players, and parents credit the league for helping to reduce the amount of crime in Washington Heights. More than 30 former league players have gone into law enforcement.

Photo courtesy City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez