My NYC Memories of Mayor Ed Koch

Mayor Ed Koch in June 1981 during a NYC Police Department Awards Ceremony

It was June of 1981
when my husband,
Dominic J. DeFilippo
was honoured
for the first time
by the
NYC Police Department
for having single handedly apprehended a serial killer
on East 37 th. Street in Manhattan
just as two women were
being attacked with
a seven inch blade.

It would be Dominic's first
NYC Police Department Award,
but not his last.

He and his son,
Paul DeFilippo,
had earned the reputation
of being NYC Crime Fighters
in the Murray Hill Section,
and were given the nickname
"The  Wedges".

I was proud to be called
the
"Wedgette".

Yes...we were vigilant
in keeping the
69 Unit Apartment Building
we managed, lived in and had our Motion Picture Studio,
free of crime
and have collected
many stories to tell.

It brought tears to my eyes
to hear the news
of the death of our
Mayor Ed Koch
this week.

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Dominic J. DeFilippo accepts NYC Police Department Award in June 1981

It was my fault
in being so enamored
with the Mayor
that I missed the shot
when my sweetheart
shook Mayor Koch's hand.

It's the single photo op
I regretted having missed the most
thus far.

Although he was extremely intelligent,
sharing witty remarks,
he came off as a humble clown,
his slacks sitting sloppily low
and more wrinkled than not...
as if he had been sleeping in his clothes,
and yet,
Mayor Ed Koch was
always ready to
send a genuine smile.

He was real;
not like the unapproachable
egomaniacs that seem to have
taken over the political arena.

Mayor Ed Koch was
fascinating
with his
unusual character
and I found myself
actually listening when he spoke.

Rest in peace, Mayor Koch.

God bless you
for your authentic love of
New York City and its People.

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