How proud can one Grandfather be? Well if you’re NYPD’s Retired Sergeant James Andrade Senior of Leisureville there’s hardly a chance anyone could be more. You see like his son after him his beloved Granddaughter took up the mantle as well and became the 3rd generation Andrade when she graduated the NY Police Academy on April 1st.
Marina Rayne Andrade turning the page to the tender age of 23 on April 15 used to pretend as young girl that maybe one day she would be where she is right now as she used to wear her father’s NYPD hat and would sit astride a police motorcycle under the watchful eye of her Dad, now retired himself NYPD Detective 2nd Grade James Andrade.
More about Marina in a bit. However we would be remiss without mentioning the Senior James Andrade who became a New York policeman back in 1957. He retired Sergeant in 1976 and has been a resident of Leisureville since 1995. The story has been told that James Sr. was more excited about his granddaughter’s graduation than when his own son joined the force in 1992. Was it just because she was a woman? I don’t think so. Maybe it was because this grandfather never dreamed this day might come. His son? Sure but his granddaughter? You would have to ask him just how he felt but from these pictures it’s pretty obvious his granddaughter pulled at his heartstrings. That is not to say that James Jr. and her devoted Mom Debra had a dry eye either but this whole real life tale is story that had to be told and Marina’s home town paper Newsday thought so too and picked up on it with the help from her Mom. Needless to say it caused quite a stir as the three became easily recognized right up until the grand celebration of Marina’s swearing in at the World’s most famous arena Madison Square Garden!
In this new world we’ve discovered even us old folk that the “fairer sex” can carry a nightstick as well as any man and with more and more females on the force don’t be surprised if the NYPD sees a dramatic change in not only how the citizens respond to these new recruits but in this author’s opinion how the overall approval rating of NY’s Finest doesn’t take a epic upturn. No disrespect to their male counterparts but with more females providing Protect and Serve the media and press in general will be even more hard pressed to dole out an even deeper level of respect because let’s face it guys a woman has just a different skill set they bring to the table than their male counterparts. The 21st Century is a different place and with more Policewomen the streets will sit up and take notice that she’s no pushover in fact maybe just the opposite.
Now back to the young Marina Rayne. She’s tough, fair and in an emergency many citizens on her beat will be glad she is on patrol. Marina is prepared for the streets too armed with a minor in Psychology she’s got a head for any games those miscreants pitch. The rookie Andrade’s dream was not only fulfilled with her graduation but months before anticipating this day had requested the most dangerous precinct in the Borough of Brooklyn the 75. That struck fear into the heart of her mom Debra Andrade also a resident of Leisurville but she knew her “little girl” wanted not just to prove herself but she wanted to earn her future stripes the hard way. Imagine her wanting the toughest precinct? That is spelled out in one word: Courage and this young 23 year old has got what it takes.
And as a befitting footnote to this real life non-fiction tale Marina requested and received the same number shield her grandfather and father wore; 278. Her family couldn’t be more proud just check out her Mother’s Instagram it would make a grown man cry.
