Scene

Downtown Express photo by J.B. Nicholas

Hero officers are honored
Family and friends of Auxiliary Officers Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo gathered with community members and more than 100 regular police and auxiliary officers at Sullivan and Bleecker Sts. Saturday to unveil honorary street signs for the heroic volunteer patrol partners. Marshalik, 19, an N.Y.U. sophomore, and Pekearo, 28, a fiction writer and native Villager, were slain two years ago near the intersection by a disturbed gunman who had just killed a restaurant worker nearby on Houston St. Above, Marshalik’s parents, Boris, second from left, and Maya — his mother looking up at her son’s new sign while holding one they were given to keep. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Councilmember Chris Quinn spoke at the unveiling. Kelly said the signs will ensure that “millions” will never forget the two men’s bravery.