Sons of NYPD cop Didarul Islam idolized dad killed by Park Ave. shooter



He will always be their hero.

The sons of the NYPD officer killed in the Park Avenue mass shooting idolized their dad, showing him off to classmates and even dressing up and “walking firmly” like their idol.

Police Officer Didarul Islam’s oldest son Ahyan decked himself out in NYPD blues while at his preschool in Bronxdale, a teacher who taught both boys in the Bronx recalled to The Post.

Didarul Islam and his son Azhaan, 5, at the boy’s preschool in the Bronx for a Father’s Day celebration in June.

“He said, ‘I wear my police uniform just like my dad,’” said teacher Tajwattie Singh, of the boy, who’s now 7.

“He looked just like a police officer and he behaved like one with his blue uniform and hat,” she said. “He was walking firmly like a police officer.” 

Islam, 36, came to her classroom hand-in-hand this past Father’s Day with his youngest son Azhaan, 5.

Police Officer Didarul Islam was a regular at the Bronxdale preschool attended by both of his sons Azhaan, 5 and Ahyan, 7. Obtained by the New York Post

“When they came in, he had the dad’s hand and he said to the class, ‘My dad is a police officer,’” beaming with pride.

“That’s the first time I saw him in uniform,” Singh said of the father. “Most of the time he works later. That’s why usually he’s not in his uniform.”

Islam was shot and killed Monday evening when maniac Shane Tamura, walked into the NFL headquarters building at East 51st Street and Park Avenue carrying an AR-15 and blasted Islam, who was working a side job providing security. Tamura fired 47 rounds, murdering four people and injuring one, before fatally turning the gun on himself.

Didarul Islam went to the preschool in uniform on Father’s Day, thrilling his son, Azhaan, 5.
Both boys spoke proudly about their police officer father, who was shot to death by a maniac in a Park Avenue building Monday. Obtained by the New York Post

Tamura, 27, who worked at the Horseshoe hotel and casino in Las Vegas, had no affiliation with the NFL but played football in high school and blamed the NFL for covering up chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repetitive head trauma. It’s not yet clear if Tamura had the disease.

When Singh was called early Tuesday morning with the news of Islam’s death she was beside herself with grief.

Singh is still stunned that the young father’s young life was snuffed out.

Islam had served with the New York City Police Department for three and a half years and worked in the 47 Precinct in the Bronx. NYPD
Workers in the building barricaded themselves in rooms after realizing a gunman was firing inside their building.

“I just saw him,”  said the 72-year-old teacher from Guyana. “I can’t believe that happened to him.”

The last time she saw Islam he was in his uniform dropping off Ahyan just before school ended in June.

“I told him ‘You look so handsome in your uniform,’” she said. “He would always say ‘Good morning Ms. Singh.’”

Shane Tamura was caught on surveillance casually carrying an automatic weapon across the office building’s open plaza. Obtained by NY Post
Tamura claimed to have the brain disease CTE in suicide notes cops found in his wallet. Obtained by the NY Post

“The kids were so proud of him,” she recalled. “They would always talk about their dad.”

She feels horrible for his widow, Jamila Akhter, who is 8-months pregnant with a third boy.

“She’s going to be lost,” Singh said. “The baby won’t even know his dad.”

Mayor Adams speaks at Islam’s funeral at a Bronx mosque on Thursday. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
The older son stands outside with his mom and other family members at the officer’s funeral. REUTERS

“He was so nice I wouldn’t think we’d lose a person like that so early.

“The mother is very sweet and also always smiling,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

Chloe Pashman, education director at the preschool, who asked The Post not to identify the school, said the students, families and teachers consider each other family.

The shooting happened at around 6:30 p.m. at the building that houses investment giant Blackstone, the National Football League, accounting firm KPMG and the Rudin Management real estate firm. William Miller
Teacher Tajwattie Singh (left) and Education Director Chloe Pashman, pictured at a past event, were shocked by Islam’s death. Obtained by the New York Post

“It’s a very close-knit community,” she said. “We call ourselves a family. It was very devastating, very shocking.”

The NYPD officers patrolling the neighborhood are also part of that family.

“The police officers in the neighborhood have always been so supportive of our school,” she said.

“When something like this happens, it affects the whole community, including the school community. We have to support our families and our officers.”



Source link

Credit to Nypost AND Peoples

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Adblock Detected

  • Please deactivate your VPN or ad-blocking software to continue