NYC police officer killed in Iraq

A young cop has been killed in Iraq, slain by a sniper's bullet, the first member of the NYPD slain during the war, according to police and the officer's union.

Officer James McNaughton -- the son of a recently retired police officer -- was killed Monday, police and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association said.

McNaughton, 27, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, was guarding prisoners at Camp Victory, in Bagdad when he was felled by a single bullet, police said.

The officer, engaged to be married to a police officer from the 9th Precinct, joined the force in July 2001 and graduated from the Police Academy six months later, the first group of new cops since the terror attacks of Sept. 11. He lives in Centereach on Long Island.

Last November, McNaughton, who had already been called to duty once before, volunteered for a second tour, a colleague said.

The current issue of the PBA magazine shows a smiling McNaughton in Iraq -- clad in his military fatigues and a NYPD hat -- holding the American flag in a photo with 8 other cops, including one from the Port Authority.

Until yesterday, the most notable death among city workers pulled from their jobs to fight the war on terro was that of Firefighter Chris Engeldrum, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq last year.

McNaughton's dad, William, recently retired from the NYPD after 20 years on the force.

There are 273 members of the NYPD who are members of the military and are currently on active duty.


In this photo, all are New York City police officers serving in Iraq in the 18th Military Police Brigade. They are (first row, l-r): P.O. Evan Rosenberg of the 69 Pct.; P.O. Louis Natale of the 45 Pct.; P.O. Jose Soto of the 52 Pct.; Sgt. Michael Donohue of OCCB; Det. Marc Davis of the 40 Squad; (second row, l-r) P.O. Michael Longmore of the Port Authority Police; Det. Evel Morales of the 84 Squad; P.O. James McNaughton of TD 2; P.O. George Mauras of the 43 Pct.

Godspeed, brother, and watch over the others.  

NorCal

R.I.P.  

   

Colt_SBR  

Quoted: tenninetyseven.homestead.com/files/salute.gif Godspeed, brother, and watch over the others.   NorCal

Quoted: ... joined the force in July 2001 and graduated from the Police Academy six months later...group of new cops since the terror attacks of Sept. 11.

I think that should read joined the force in July 2002, which would have been my class, the first class after 9-11.

RIP Officer McNaughton

Rest in Peace

May he be at peace and with God.

Just a quick blurb.  I see news reports stating he was actually in the 9-11 class, so he actually was in the Academy for almost a year.  I'll have to ask around to see what class he was in.

Prayers my brother.  RIP

R.I.P. P.O. James McNaughton