From left: Commander McCoy was honored by Councilmember Jim Graham, Chief Cathy Lanier, Assistant Chief Patrick Burke with the resolution proclaiming February 27 "Larry McCoy Day." (Photo courtesy Marco Santiago, MPD.)

Former Ward 2 (Third Distric) MOCR Joseph Martin with Assistant Chief Diane Groomes, sans uniform but dressed to the nines, were on hand with hundreds of other guests to cheer McCoy's accomplished career and honor his service to the District.

There was a fantastic dinner and ceremony to honor the achievements and service of (Retired) Commander Larry McCoy's last night at the Washington Navy Yard. Among his many achievements, McCoy is credited for enhancing more truly effective community policing in crime ridden neighborhoods like Shaw, and getting officers more involved on non-crime related community outreach. Although he was extremely critical at first — he told the Shotspotter reps (which were present as a large contingent last night) not to waste his time at initial presentations. But he was eventually convinced of its usefulness; Shotspotter has apparently been so effective that The Federal Govt (thankfully not the District) is paying for it to be expanded to the National Mall and the surrounding buildings.

McCoy also lead the MPD security detail from The Obama Inauguration, which was noted to be the the largest event in the District's history. Of much more importance to some of us in Shaw, McCoy was the Commander in charge who helped us (after a successful local petition and outreach) rid Scott Montgomery of the open air drug market, gang menace and other nightly nuisances that most of us thought would never end until the MPD finally came in one day and launched the most impressive special operations sweep I've ever seen — rivaling Hollywood its dramatic execution and masterful effectiveness.

Chief Lanier, Assistant Chief Groomes made appreciative and humorous remarks on behalf of MPD and the Administration. CM Jim Graham made a presentation on behalf of the Council. Residents and activists from all the the Districts McCoy served in over his career were present to show our appreciation for making our neighborhoods safer.