Larry DePrimo, the NYPD officer from Holbrook who became known worldwide after an Arizona tourist snapped a picture of him giving socks and boots to a barefooted homeless man near Times Square last month, was honored by the Islip Town Board on Tuesday.
The NYPD shared the heartwarming photo on its Facebook page and it has collected more than 615,000 "likes" and nearly 220,000 shares.
Islip Town Supervisor Tom Croci and DePrimo both graduated from Connetquot High School. Croci's mother was the principal at DePrimo's elementary school.
"He has reminded us of just how good we are as New Yorkers," Croci said of DePrimo, who worked as a lifeguard in the Town of Islip when he was younger and joined the NYPD in 2010. "You know sometimes New Yorkers take a pretty tough rap around the country, but he really demonstrated what it means to be a New Yorker."
DePrimo, befitting of a man lauded for his kindness and compassion, spoke humbly with gratitude upon receiving a citation from the Town Board.
"I just really wanted to say thank you for allowing me to accept such a great award," the 25-year-old said. "I almost feel undeserving of so much thanks."
