Williamsburg -- Sergeant Norman Horowitz Of The 90th Precinct Is Hanging Up His Gumshoes

Unlike most city cops, Sgt. Norman Horowitz worked his way up from beat cop to head of the robbery unit and now commanding officer of the detective squad - all in the same precinct.
Now, after nearly 40 years chasing rapists, robbers, murderers and armed gunmen and cheating death many times over, Horowitz, 62, is retiring - reluctantly.
"After 40 years, they think I can't do the job," said Horowitz, only half joking.
Horowitz joined the NYPD in 1966. Under department rules, he must step down before his 63rd birthday, Nov. 18. His last day will be Halloween.
"Norman would do this job for free if he could because he loves it so much," said Precinct Commander Capt. John Corbisiero.
"He's been in and offered some of the premier jobs in this department, Horowitz turned down high-level posts to stay in Williamsburg. Norman is the best." said a Police Department official.
Horowitz's longevity has earned him a critical role in policing Williamsburg's established Chasidic, Hispanic and Italian communities - sometimes a delicate balancing act.
When Horowitz gets involved, "both sides leave happy," said Corbisiero.
During his time on the force, Horowitz was stabbed three times. He stood at the wrong end of a barrel on several occasions - and owes his life to the fact that the gun malfunctioned.
"I'm living on borrowed time," he said.