An NYPD narcotics officer who climbed the ranks from a Bronx bicycle cop to a revered detective is retiring after 35 years.
Det. First Grade John Hourican was celebrated at PSA 6 in Harlem Thursday afternoon, where some 100 friends, family, and cop colleagues gathered to share memories from his long career on the streets.
“We did the kind of stuff that movies could be made from, stories could be told, and many high fives were celebrated for a job well done,” an emotional Hourican told attendees while dressed in his formal police blues.
“I guess you could say I found a home, NFL. Those in the room know it and live it. Let’s say it together: Narcotics For Life,” he said.
Hourican served four years in the Navy before joining the NYPD and heading to the Police Academy.
His first posting was as a bike patrolman on City Island before joining narcotics, where he spent five years working with the undercover team in the Bronx’s 45th Precinct.
By the early 2000s he was conducting his own investigations, and went on to become a delegate for the Detective’s Endowment Association and a Major Case Narco Ranger.
Colleagues described Hourican as a cop who was dedicated not only to his work — but also intensely to his fellow officers.
“You always cared about your peers, always had their concerns at heart,” said Patrol Borough Queens North Deputy Chief Steven Ortiz, who used to supervise Hourican in narcotics.
Ortiz recounted one year where Hourican was directly responsible for a serious reduction in crime in East Harlem’s 25th Precinct.
“I go, get me ten targets, five search warrants. To your credit and your team and your undercovers, you went out and excelled — 19 targets, 11 search warrants, made the paper. The violence in the 25 went from high to, I think, eight shootings for that year in 2013,” Ortiz said.
“I applaud you for that, thank you for that.”
A father of two sons, Hourican was joined by them along with his wife and mother at the ceremony, which was capped off with an NYPD chopper fly-over before the family was whisked away in a pristine 2002 NYPD squad car as bagpipes played.
“We have more time behind us than we have in front of us,” he told his wife before departing. “I want you to enjoy our time together. Our ride together isn’t over, and our time in New York may be short, North Carolina soon, here we come. Let’s ride off together and enjoy a calmer life. I love you.”
