On June 11, 1991 the NYPD Harbor and Aviation Units were staging a Sea-Air-Rescue demonstration off of the Battery in New York Harbor. As with every such demonstration, this one needed a "victim". Not one to stand on the sidelines when there was work to be done, P.O. Kenny Hansen or the NYPD Harbod Unit volunteered. He always liked to be part of the action and was an accomplished scuba diver and strong swimmer.
He went into the water and the NYPD helicopter swooped in to pick him up. But something had gone tragically wrong and Kenny was gone.
In 1994, the Harbor Unit put in service the first of a new fleet of 55 foot patrol launches to replace the 52 footers in service since the 60s. This first one was Launch 4 and was dedicated to P.O. Kenny Hansen. This fleet has become affectionately known as the "Kenny Hansen Class Boat".
On the left, you select from thumbnails of the dedication of a Kenny Hansen memorial as well as Launch 4 at it's dedication and in action. Click on them to view a larger version.