New NYPD recruit inspired to join ranks thanks to hero detective who pulled him from fiery car wreck: He saved my life

One of the NYPD’s newest cops was inspired to join the ranks after an off-duty detective rescued him from his burning car in 2021 – hoping to follow in the footsteps of the hero who “saved [his] life.” Christian Leon, 24, graduated from the police academy Wednesday less than five years after Det.James Fares jumped into action as his car began smoking on the Grand Central Parkway the evening of Nov.

18, 2021. In that traumatic moment, Leon realized his hero was a detective because he spotted the distinctive shield – but never knew his name until the department reunited the pair at the department’s Gun & Shield Day ceremony on Tuesday. “I’m almost speechless [to] a certain point, because I only get to say thank you, because…he just saved my life, and it’s been like four years later,” Leon told The Post.“So I’m really happy he’s here with me, and I’m gonna pay it back by being of help and service to others and the community.”Leon, who has lived in Corona, Queens for most of his life, was taking pre-med classes at the time of the crash – until Fares’ selfless actions convinced him to change course, he said. “I remember I had finals during that time for one of my bio classes.

I was heading back home, and it was during rush hour, my car was stopped — no cars were moving — and all of a sudden I see a car behind me rear-ends me,” he said.“Detective Fares…acted immediately,” the rookie cop recalled.“He took me out of the vehicle, he said everything was going to be fine.

He called an ambulance, and I’m here because of him — because I needed someone to help me at the time, and now I want to help people when they need help.”Leon was not seriously hurt in the crash — only shaken because his airbag exploded — and was checked out at the hospital. “I hardly remember that,” he said of the impact.“But all I remember is this detective, his shield, and just stuck with me and my memory forever.”Fares, who...