By Ryan Thompson
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

ADAMS STREET — It was about 6:30 a.m. and two men had just driven over the Brooklyn Bridge and had parked their vehicle in front of the Kings County Supreme Court.

What troubled the three Brooklyn court officers who witnessed this scene was the fact that the car was being driven despite missing one of its tires. They were driving the car on its bare wheel, and the vehicle was emitting smoke.

Of course, Sgt. Salvatore Davi and Supreme Court Officers Leonard Sherr and Glen Zurkoff figured they’d better investigate. As they approached, the two men in the car panicked a bit and grappled around the interior, perhaps hiding something. And sure enough, when the Brooklyn officers inquired within, it became clear that the two men were heavily intoxicated.

Again, they were driving a car without all of its tires!

The two men were taken into custody, and the driver was arrested for a DWI. And while the story might seem a bit comical, it is important to understand how potentially lethal those two motorists were. Sgt. Davi and Officers Sherr and Zurkoff may very well have saved some unknown person’s life that morning.

And for that, they received the Meritorious Service Award.

Presented each year to various court officers throughout the boroughs, the three quick-thinking officers were given the award last week at the Supreme Court Officers’ Annual Dinner & Dance at Antun’s restaurant in Queens.

Another Brooklyn officer, Sgt. Scott Conelly, also received the award last Tuesday. Sgt. Conelly was honored for not only his quick thinking, but also his quick moves.

When an inmate awaiting trial on felony charges needed medical attention for an ankle injury he received in jail, Sgt. Conelly was one of those assigned to transport the defendant to Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill. While in the waiting room, however, the “injured� defendant saw his chance. He fled.

Fortunately (or unfortunately for the inmate), Sgt. Conelly took off in pursuit. The suspect didn’t get too far and was returned to court shortly thereafter.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle congratulates the four Brooklyn officers on receiving the Meritorious Service Award and salutes them for helping protect our borough.

Additional reporting by Brooklyn Supreme Court Officer Mario Belluomo.

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