| The Police Combat Cross is granted to members of the service who have successfully and intelligently performed an act of extraordinary heroism, while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life. The medal is in the form of a gold Maltese Cross, with a medallion in the center bearing the Seal of the City of New York. The seal is surrounded by the circular inscription For Valor Police. The cross is piped with black enamel on a field of green. The reverse side is engraved with the New York City Police, as well as the name of the holder and year it was presented. The cross is suspended by a ring from green silk ribbon. First presentation was on October 10, 1934 to Sergeant Harry C. Bilms. While off duty April 22, 1933, Sgt. Bilms entered a restaurant in Queens and encountered three r obbers who had held up the proprietor and the patrons. Sgt. Bilms shot two of the gunmen, killing one and wounding one other. Five other Combat Crosses were also awarded in 1934. Special mention: On June 30, 1972 at the Annual New York City Police Departments Medal Day Ceremony, Patrolman James P. Moran, 24th Precinct, received two awards of the Combat Cross for two separate shoot-outs in 1971. He is the only officer ever to be awarded two Combat Crosses on the same day. The first Combat Cross awarded to a female was in 1982 to Police Officer Suzanne Medicis, 30th Precinct. Out of the 200+ Combat Crosses awarded 10 have been awarded to females. |
| Combat Cross |
| Beyond the Line of Duty |
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