South Ozone Park, New York: On Sunday May 5th, hundreds of residents, community leaders, and elected officials joined the family of late Correction Officer Jonathan Narain for the unveiling of 111 street and Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill. The street was co-named “Correction Officer Jonathan Narain Way” on Indian Arrival Day.
On September 14, 2018, CO Narain was fatally shot in Richmond Hill, New York. He was 27 years old. CO Narain had been with the New York City Department of Correction for almost three years and worked at Rikers Island. He left behind a heartbroken family, a community touched by this senseless gun violence, and residents who are inspired by his life.
“There was an outpouring of grief and love that we had to respond to with urgency. The community was shocked by this tragedy, another young man was killed by gun violence. With the family’s support, we mobilized by collecting hundreds of signatures and in record time the New York City Council voted unanimously to approve the street in Jonathan’s memory, where he grew up” said Richard David, District Leader in New York State Assembly District 31.
The City Council voted to approve the resolution on December 20, 2018 just four months after the tragedy. “It is an honor to support this family who has given their life to public service and pa tribute to a fallen hero. It is also one of the only streets in New York named after a Guyanese-American, and perhaps the only one named after an Indo-Caribbean person. It’s long over due that this community’s sacrifices are properly recognized. I was happy to sponsor this resolution at the City Council” said Adrienne Adams, New York City Council Member District 28.
CO Narain was born at the former St. John’s Hospital in Queens and raised in Richmond Hill on 111 Street. He graduated from Richmond Hill High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He comes from a proud family of public servants. His mother is a retired teacher with the Department of Education, his father works for New York Transit, his eldest brother has worked with the New York City Fire Department for 15 years, and his youngest brother works as an Emergency Medical Technician.
