Ten people were honored Monday in New Haven for their outstanding service to the community. Outgoing mayor Toni Harp presented each of them with a key to the city during a special ceremony at City Hall.
But it was the final person called to the podium who drew the biggest applause, a standing ovation, and a special introduction by the police chief: Capt. Anthony Duff. The captain was shot and wounded in August as he attempted to intervene in a shooting incident while he was off-duty. Duff had only words of thanks in his 50-second speech.
He thanked his wife, his colleagues, “those wonderful health care folks over at Yale New Haven Hospital, the community that supported me for the past four months through this ordeal, folks locally, from all across the country, small police departments, large police departments, clergy, folks who I just run into from all walks of life who’ve expressed their support for me,” Duff said. “I take my hat off and I thank all of you. Thank you.”
Duff hopes to return to his current position as spokesperson for the police department in the coming months.
The other recognized recipients were Bria Holmes, Malcolm Welfare, Clarence Boyd, Veronica Douglas, George Mention, James Walker, Roberta Hoskie, Cynthia Beaver, and Dr. Tamiko Jackson McArthur.
