The ‘Spotlight’ proudly presents our first honoree of 2006, Brother Charles McCray. Charlie was born on September 21, 1942 in Sheffield, Alabama. He graduated from Flushing High School in New York City and attended John Jay College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies.

Charlie became a member of the New York City Transit Police Department in November 1966 and worked in District # 33 on patrol and in its Anti-Crime Unit, the Brooklyn Task Force and Citywide Anti-Crime Unit. Charlie was a very active police officer, honored five times for meritorious duty. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1982 and to Lieutenant in 1990. He retired in that rank in September 1995.

As a member of the Retired Guardians Fraternal Association, Charlie has been tireless in his efforts to assist. He attends the reunions, the picnics, sells raffle tickets, is a member of the Century Club and does many of those ‘little things’ that smooths the path for the organization to reach its goals. In 2005, Charlie volunteered his services and became the organization’s Good and Welfare Chairman. In addition to that position, he then became the Retired Transit Guardian Vice-President when the incumbent relocated out of state. With his track record, the membership can only anticipate Charlie’s continued success in that important leadership role.

Charlie points with pride to what he considers his greatest accomplishment, the raising of his children in a middle class environment and instilling in them the values that have helped them succeed in life. Charlie has been married to Vivian for 41 years, a union blessed with three children and two grandchildren. He lives in Queens Village, NY and can be reached via e-mail at CEMCCRAY@aol.com