Shield 332: NYPD ‘Super Rookie Cop’ Sumit Sulan Promoted to Rank of Detective
- The 27-year-old Indian American shot and wounded the Harlem man who killed 22-year-old rookie cop Jason Rivera and seriously injured his 27-year-old his partner Wilbert Mora, who died four days later.
NYPD “super rookie cop” Sumit Sulan, who fatally shot the killer of his partners in the shootout in Harlem last month, was promoted to the rank of detective today (Feb. 15). In a photo posted on Twitter by NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, she is seen handing Sulan a new detective shield during a brief ceremony held at NYPD headquarters.
“The actions of officer Sulan likely saved the lives of the other officers responding to that apartment,” Sewell said. “Like his partners, he is an example that police officers are ordinary people who are called upon to do extraordinary things and they often do, risking everything.” Sulan was presented with shield number 332, “symbolizing three brothers from the 32nd Precinct,” Sewell said.
On Jan. 21, the Indian American cop sprang to action when two of his partners got shot in the line of duty. Sulan, 27, shot and wounded Lawshawn McNeil, 47, the Harlem, New York man who killed 22-year-old rookie cop Jason Rivera and seriously injured 27-year-old his partner Wilbert Mora, who died four days later. McNeil died at Harlem Hospital on Jan. 24 afternoon. Sulan was on the job since April and at Harlem’s 32nd Precinct for two months.
On Jan. 21, Sulan, Rivera and Mora were dispatched to McNeil’s residence in Harlem after receiving a report of domestic violence. The New York Daily News reported that McNeil was arguing with his mom about the lack of vegan food available in the apartment. During the deadly shootout that ensued, McNeil shot two officers who entered the home with his illegal Glock 45.
Sulan first hid McNeil’s mother and brother in the kitchen, away from the gunshots, and then retaliated by firing back at McNeil, who was out on probation on a 2003 felony narcotics charge in New York City. McNeil also had four arrests in other states.
Sulan’s family had immigrated from India about 15 years ago. Before joining the NYPD, Sulan worked for the city as a taxi and limousine inspector, news reports said.