From immigrant dream to NYPD legacy: A father and son's story of service

"New York is a city of immigrants, filled with those who traveled to the Big Apple to find a better life and live their dreams. Abdelalim Azab is just one among Gotham's rich tapestry of new New Yorkers who not only moved to the United States but also looked to serve its citizens as a police officer, a legacy his son is continuing."

"Azab fled his native Kuwait at the beginning of the Gulf War. After leaving with his family and settling in New York, Azab took on a slew of odd jobs, from working as a food vendor to driving a cab, a transition he described as difficult. "It wasn't that easy. I'm the first generation, so I did find it hard to find my path," Azab recalled. "Then little by little, I decided to achieve my goals.""

"One of those goals was to become a member of law enforcement, to help people. So, despite all of the challenges that came with striving to make ends meet and raise a family, he fought for his dreams and became a police officer in July 2001. "The NYPD was always on my mind. I remember even getting pulled over when I drove a cab and after they gave me a ticket I asked them how can I join the NYPD? They laughed at me," Azab said."

"Azab spent two decades in the department, rising to the rank of detective and spending most of his career in the Intelligence Division until his retirement in 2021. But as he got up each day, suited up in his uniform, and went to work, his dedication did not go unnoticed by his own son, Samir Azab. "Growing up, I always saw my dad coming back and forth from work he would be out for very, very long hours. But when he did come back, I would always ask him about the different things that he did at work.""

New York is portrayed as a city shaped by immigrants seeking better lives. Abdelalim Azab fled Kuwait at the start of the Gulf War and moved to New York with his family. He worked a variety of jobs, including food vending and driving a cab, while struggling to find his path as a first-generation immigrant. He kept a goal of joining law enforcement to help people, even asking NYPD officers how he could join after receiving a ticket. He became a police officer in July 2001, spent about two decades with the department, rose to detective, and worked mainly in the Intelligence Division until retiring in 2021. His son Samir described being captivated by his father’s stories and dedication.

Read at www.amny.com