December 17, 2000

PBA Holds Holiday Party for Families of Slain Officers

New York's finest helped make the holiday season a little brighter for the families of fallen heroes Saturday when the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association held its annual holiday party at the South Street Seaport. Widows and their children enjoyed magicians, clowns, dancers, games and gifts. But the cheerful celebration was also a somber reminder of the slain police officers whose families were left behind. "There are a lot of famous people and sports figures that are here and they're all quick to say that our husbands were the heroes," said widow Maria Dziergowski. "They may be famous but our husbands are the true heroes in New York." Dziergowski's husband, Matthew, was killed in February 1999 when he put his patrol car in the path of a speeding SUV on Staten Island to save his colleagues.