Patrolling around the thriving nightclub scene within the confines of the 67th Precinct can often be dangerous, but it didn’t stop Police Officer Greggory Gingo from making a gun collar in the wee morning hours of Oct. 12.
For his heroic deed, Gingo was recently awarded the precinct’s “Cop of the Month” honors.
The incident unfolded around 1:50 a.m., when Gringo and his partner, Officer Josh Dawson, responded to a disorderly call outside Club Djumbala, 1370 Ralph Avenue. The two officers were moving along a crowd of revelers when they heard about five shots fired.
“We saw a whole bunch of people hit the ground. I got out of the car to see if anybody was shot,” recalled Gingo.
Gingo said after finding that no one was shot, a security guard pointed out the perpetrator who had shot the gun and then he took off.
With Gingo hot on his tail, the alleged shooter threw the gun away and a little more than a block away, he made the collar and recovered the .44-caliber gun.
Gingo, a seven year police veteran, was also in the Air Force. After getting out of the military, he worked as a plumber for awhile and then as a bookkeeper/accountant.
However, he lost his job following a decline in the economy after the 9-11 terrorist attack and his wife suggested he take the NYPD entrance test.
Gingo worked as a public housing police officer for several years before being transferred to the 67th Precinct.
As for his favorite thing about being a police officer, Gingo said, “Just meeting the people and feeling like I’m doing something for the community, and trying to help out.”