NYPD’s “Super Rookie” Sumit Sulan promoted after act Of bravery

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Indian-American police officer Sumit Sulan of the New York Police Department was promoted Feb. 15, 2022, even though having served less than a year. It followed his act of bravery Jan. 21, when he along with other officers responded to a domestic violence call.

On the job for barely 7 months since last April, Officer Sulan, was hailed as a hero for rushing to neutralize a gunman who shot two police officer, both of them dying from the wounds. His colleagues at the station named him “Super Rookie.”

The interaction with the gunman happened in Harlem where  Officers Jason Rivera, 22, who was killed on the spot, and Wilbert Mora, 27, who was wounded and died later. Sulan shot and killed gunman, Lashawn McNeil, 47, who was shooting from a hyped up Glock pistol fitted with a high-capacity drum holding 50 rounds.

“This morning, I had the honor of promoting Officer Sumit Sulan to the rank of detective as I spoke to the @nycpolicefdtn,” Tweeted Commissioner Sewell, with a video showing Sulan’s swearing-in. “Like Detectives Mora & Rivera, Sumit’s actions were heroic that fateful night. He was preented a shield #332 – symbolizing three brothers from the @NYPD32Pct,” Sewell added who heads the 32^nd Precinct.

Even in the midst of the crisis, Sulan reportedly moved the mother and her other son to safety, police said.

Sulan immigrated to the U.S. 15 years ago from India with his parents, according to news reports quoting his mother Dalvir Sulan. She told the New York Post, “I’m proud. Everyone (says) he did good.”

This was not Sulan’s first domestic violence response. Earlier in January, he had been part of another response during which a gun was seized. His picture holding that gun was tweeted out by the police station where he is stationed.

Earlier this month, President Biden led a standing ovation praising Sulan for his heroism Feb. 3 during his visit to One Police Plaza, New York City.

“Detectives Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera are the who and what law enforcement ought to be,” Biden is quoted saying by the New York Post, adding, “Their futures were cut short by a man with a stolen Glock and a 40-round magazine and I want to thank the man back to my left, I think he’s sitting right there, for taking him on.”

“Stand up,” the president urged turning around and nodding to Sulan, the Post reported.