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Gun of NYPD Officer Killed in Iraq Passed to Family Friend

By Gustavo Solis | December 16, 2013 8:05pm
  Commissioner Ray Kelly presented the gun of officer James McNaughton to probationary officer Frank Dello Iacono at police headquarters Monday, the same day he received his gun and shield according to the NYPD.
Fallen Officer
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MANHATTAN — The firearm of an NYPD officer killed while serving with the Army in Iraq will remain with the police force.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly presented the pistol of fallen Officer James McNaughton to probationary officer Frank Dello Iacono at One Police Plaza Monday, the same day he received his gun and shield, according to the NYPD.

McNaughton became the first NYPD officer to be killed while deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom when he was gunned down by sniper fire in 2005.

McNaughton and Iacono’s fathers were partners in the NYPD while assigned to the department’s canine unit in the late 1990s and McNaughton’s father asked that his son’s firearm be given to Iacono.

“It’s a great honor to carry the firearm of such a brave individual and be able to honor his memory,” the probationary officer said.

The fallen officer was honored alongside fallen firefighter Chris Engeldrum during the 2010 FDNY vs. NYPD rugby game on Randall's Island in 2010.

Iacono, who has received his gun and shield, will graduate from the police academy in a ceremony on Dec. 27.