Orthodox Jew Shines as Valedictorian at NYPD Graduation

NEW YORK (VINnews/Sandy Eller) – An Orthodox Jewish resident of Monsey took center stage today at the NYPD Police Academy graduation, delivering a nearly seven minute long speech as the class valedictorian.

25 year old Samuel Winsbacher won two of the eight awards given out at the graduation, which was held in Madison Square Garden. With an overall average of 99.59 percent, the highest in the class of more than 500 students, Winsbacher was honored with the academy’s top award, the Mayor’s Award, in addition to earning the First Deputy Commissioner’s Award by besting his classmates with an academic average of 99.3 percent.

Winsbacher spoke about the six month long journey that he and his classmates shared at the academy, smiling as he described doing 80 pushups in 90 degree heat while dressed in full uniform, and wryly observing, “the more they yelled at me, the higher I achieved.” Addressing his classmates, Winsbacher noted that their rigorous police academy training left them all stronger and better equipped to do their jobs.

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“It is important that we stay true to ourselves and, above all else, continue to demonstrate the integrity and professionalism that embodies this great department,” said Winsbacher. “We must remember that today is not merely an endpoint, but a stepping stone towards a lifelong commitment to protect and serve.

Becoming a police officer was an idea that had always been in the back of Winsbacher’s mind and he took the NYPD exam in August 2022, getting 52 out of 55 questions right on the multiple choice exam. Despite living in Rockland County, Winsbacher had his sights set on the NYPD and not the police force in his relatively quiet hometown.

“I wanted to be able to go after criminals, and not just pull over law abiding citizens who roll through stop signs,” Winsbacher told VIN News.

Winsbacher, the only member of his class to wear a yarmulka during their months of training, starts with his new command on July 26th. He will be working with the Transit Police District 11, which serves the area around Yankee Stadium.

Inspector Richie Taylor, the highest ranking Orthodox NYPD officer, wished Winsbacher and the entire graduating class well, noting that being a member of “New York’s finest” provides tremendous potential for growth.

Taylor was part of the delegation that met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog just last week, touring the NYPD’s joint operations center and Hall of Heroes. The delegation also met in the police commissioner’s executive conference room, to discuss crime trends and concerns in New York City and how they relate to Israel.

“The police department is an incredible place and the impact that you can make, and the opportunities that you have, are truly second to none,” said Taylor.