A group of New York’s finest got promotions Friday — including some who are continuing the legacies of department heroes, like their own parents.
Among the those getting raised in rank at the ceremony was now-Detective Francesca Mosomillo, 28, the daughter of Anthony Mosomillo, who was killed in 1998 while attempting to bust a drug dealer who had skipped out on a court date.
“In 1998, Anthony was killed by a career criminal who refused to go back to jail,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban told the assembly gathered at the police academy in Queens.
“Mortally wounded, Anthony was able to return fire and protect his partner. And today, his daughter turns in her white shields and becomes Detective Francesca Mosomillo.”
Mosomillo was issued her father’s old police officer shield number, 20316, on her badge.
Francesca’s mother and Mosomillo’s widow, Margaret, told The Post Thursday she is so excited over the promotion that she is drawn to tears.
“Francesca worked very hard for this,” she said.
“I have cried so many times in the last 26 years but today these are not sad tears, they are happy tears.”
“Anthony would be extremely proud of her,” Margaret added.
Also promoted was Lt. Conor McDonald, whose father Steven McDonald was paralyzed after being shot by a teen in the line of duty in 1986.
“The one thing that always represented hope for Steven was his son Conor,” Caban said.
“By the time Steven passed away from his injuries in 2017, he had watched with pride as his son rose through the ranks of the department they both cared so much about and today, we are honored to promote Conor to the rank of captain.”
Conor beamed as he posed alongside Caban with his certificate of promotion – a reaction that his mother, Patti Ann McDonald, said Thursday that his father would have definitely shared.
“Had such a big smile when he was sworn in, and again when he was promoted to sergeant. He was so glad he became a cop,” she said.
“I know he would’ve been beaming when Conor gets his Captain’s shield.”
Conor is a fourth generation NYPD officer.
His father lived for more than 30 years with the help of a ventilator after his injury, and died at 59 after having forgiven his shooter.
Patti Ann was pregnant with Conor when his father was shot.
“I am extremely proud of Conor, I know how hard he worked for this,” she said.
Those promoted also included a relative of Det. First Grade Jonathan Diller, who was recently killed in the line of duty.
Diller’s brother-in-law Jonathan McAuley was promoted from Police Officer to Detective Specialist, alongside Diller’s partner, Veckash Khedna, who was granted the same rise in rank, Caban said.
“There are so many stories of bravery among you this morning and some of you are continuing to build on the legacy of heroes who died in their service to our city, like police officer Jonathan McAuley, the brother-in-law of Det. First Grade Jonathan Diller,” Caban said.
“He is being designated Detective Specialist this morning along with Jonathan’s partner on that fateful day, Veckash Khedna. Congratulations to both of you.”
In the wake of Diller’s death, McAuley had posted a tribute on Facebook to his slain relative – and brother in blue.
“Jon, there are no words to describe how devastated we are that you are gone,” he wrote, according to WABC.
“You were a good man and a great father whose shoes can never be filled. I swear to you that I will look after your son as if he were my own. For the rest of my life.”
Diller, a 3-year-veteran of the department and father of a 1-year-old boy, was fatally shot and killed during a traffic stop in the Far Rockaway section of Queens.
Khedna returned fire, wounding the gunman.
Officer Rosa Rodriguez, whose partner, Det. Dennis Guerra, 38, was killed in a treacherous 2014 blaze in Coney Island, was promoted to Detective Second Grade, Caban said.
The two cops were overcome by smoke as they got off an elevator on the 13th floor of a housing project – with Guerra succumbing to his injuries three days later.
Rodriguez was hospitalized for weeks, and has since been awarded the department’s highest recognition, the NYPD Medal of Honor.
“Rosa’s toughness and determination is an inspiration to all,” Caban said.
“And it’s my humble honor to promote her today to detective second grade.”
“It’s moments like this that I couldn’t be prouder to serve as your police commissioner,” the top cop said of all those promoted.
“And it’s moments like this that I’m reminded that the NYPD is the greatest police department in the world. And all of you are the reason why. So congratulations again on this well deserved recognition.”
