September 20th was a day that all of nature stood at attention to honor and support the ceremony naming the street in front of the 108th Precinct in Long Island City for one of New York’s own – NYPD detective Mary “Mae” Foley.

It was a day of sunshine and warmth, and jam-packed with words of praise for Mae’s service with the 108th.
Mae served as a sworn officer with the NYPD from 1923 until her retirement on January 1st, 1946. She not only witnessed all of the major national events of the 20th century, but she was also a part of them.
The ceremony took place on a warm late summer day, under a cloudless sky, with a crowd gathered to pay tribute to one of their own.

Mae’s grandson Bob, and grandson Johnny’s wife Donna, along with numerous other family members were on hand for the event. So were officers from that precinct and others who turned out to honor her. There were members of the mounted unit, dog handlers, and chiefs who took the time on a beautiful Saturday morning to be there to recognize her.

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Widowed early, Mae continued to serve while raising young daughters, Florence and Grace, in the late 1930s and 1940s.
Her career as an officer began with service on the ‘Masher’ Squad in Manhattan, taking down men who preyed on women riding the subway. She later transferred to the 19th Precinct on the Upper West Side and supported efforts to end Prohibition.

But her career took off when she transferred to Queens, where one of Mae’s first assignments was to serve as bait to lure out a fearsome serial killer.

She also took part in many operations that involved dealing with criminals up front and in a personal manner. She had been trained in jiu jitsu, like all other policewomen at the time, and disarmed more than one potential attacker.
Mae also was a key figure in witness protection during the trial of the notorious mobster “Lucky Luciano” and later she went undercover in the New York Nazi movement, reporting on the organizations plans and criminal intentions.
She loved her family, her community and her home, the 108th Precinct.

Even in retirement she remained active, advocating for better pay and benefits for her colleagues still in uniform. She also kept an open door for her colleagues. Her grandsons often saw patrol cars or unmarked sedans parked in front of her house. Detectives and uniformed officers alike often sought her advice and guidance.

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This street naming effort was championed by NYPD Deputy Chief Raymond Porteus, who was moved to act when he read Mae’s story in The Girls Who Fought Crime.

That day, Chief Porteus said, “She proved that strength and compassion aren’t opposites. They are partners.” Others spoke as well, including Erica Buckewicki, head of the Policewomen’s Endowment Association (PEA) and Mae’s grandson, Bobby.

All were visibly moved by the opportunity to honor her and her trailblazing career, her work to ensure new opportunities for future generations and her love of her home and family – both her children and grandchildren and her police family.

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L-R Johnny Carr (Mae’s great grandson), Bob Carr (Mae’s grandson), and Donna Carr (wife of John Carr)

Hers is not just a name on a sign. It’s a promise fulfilled. Fidelis Ad Mortem.

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