Ceremony Celebrates NYPD Officers and K-9s for Their Role in Paris Olympics Security
Four officers from the NYPD, accompanied by their bomb-detection dogs, were recognized for their contributions to security at the Paris Olympics during a Monday afternoon ceremony at the French consulate in Manhattan.
Officers Rafael De La Cruz and Michael Fenimore, along with Detectives Nick Valez and Andrew Barron—and their canine partners Davie, Gunner, Rico, and Vito—were presented with special service awards at the consulate, acknowledging their vital role in protecting last summer’s international sporting event.
The K-9 units were primarily responsible for patrolling the Olympic venues and detecting potential explosives, representatives from the consulate disclosed.
“The challenges were immense in Paris last summer to safeguard 15,000 athletes, 45,000 volunteers, and ultimately 11 million attendees,” said Consul General Céderik Fouriscot, addressing the officers.
“The Paris Games unfolded flawlessly, and I want to emphasize that you were key to this success.”
Due to the scale of the Olympics, French officials sought assistance from international law enforcement to ensure safety.
Police Commander Jean-François Meunier, acting as a liaison to the NYPD, remarked that the host nation "specifically requested dogs as we didn’t have sufficient resources to cover all Olympic locations."
NYPD officers and their K-9s undergo extensive training to detect explosives, with the dogs learning to identify specific chemicals linked to bombs.
“We connect the scent to a toy, like a ball, through repetition with various explosive aromas,” explained Valez, 52, who has since retired from his role alongside K-9 Rico.
Missing from the awards ceremony was Fenimore’s dog, Gunner, who passed away in February.
Fenimore, who has transitioned to the Clarkstown Police Department in Rockland County, expressed the profound impact of Gunner’s loss on his life.
“He was a healthy German Shepherd. He developed blood cancer and was gone within three months. It’s been tough. He was my companion for six years—the greatest dog; he meant everything to me,” Fenimore shared.
The NYPD provides support in five overseas locations, including London, Madrid, INTERPOL, and EUROPOL.
Detective Nicolas Gouzien, the NYPD’s liaison to Paris and Monaco, highlighted the importance of operational exchange and information sharing, which occurs regularly.
“This situation marks a significant moment in the collaboration between the NYPD and French law enforcement. It allowed us to demonstrate the specialized skills the NYPD possesses while the world observed our canines safeguarding the Olympics in a highly complex security landscape,” stated Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner.
“It was a remarkable honor and an invaluable opportunity for the NYPD.”
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