"I decided to become a cop because of my family," Connor said. "My aunts and uncles became police officers in Nassau County and my dad's friends have done it in the city. I always had the idea of becoming a cop. I took the test and got hired from the city three years ago. It's always meant a lot to me."
Connor, who is a generational Islanders fan, is a member of the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn. Like any of his colleagues, Connor sacrifices weeknights, weekends, holidays, his safety and potentially his life, to protect others. Every day that he goes to work he proudly dons his uniform with purpose.
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This past Christmas Eve, that daily sacrifice was tested when Connor and his partner responded to a call in Crown Heights in Brooklyn. Following a series of events that transpired, Connor was shot at three times, two of which struck his back. Fortunately, Connor was wearing his bulletproof vest, but the outcome could have been deadly had he not.
Despite the scare, Connor's courage and outlook for being a police officer haven't changed nor has his appreciation for his fellow officers.
"I was just doing my job," Connor said. "I'm not a hero, all of the officers that have lost their lives on duty over the years are the real heroes. It definitely didn't change my perspective on what I do. I know that can happen to any of us at any time. Really the people that I was with that night, the people I work with, did such an incredible job. I'm just really thankful for them. Every single day, that's what we do. We go out there whether we're wanted there or not and we do the best we can to protect people."
While Connor is patiently waiting to go back to work, he's been enjoying watching the Islanders compete in this year's abbreviated 56-game season.
"I can't wait until the 14th," Connor said. "Opener against the Rangers would have been so great to have fans in the building and go to that."
Connor's been watching the Islanders his whole life and enjoys hearing stories from the Stanley Cup years where his parents were season ticket holders. Growing up and all through college at Hofstra University, Connor wore No. 27 for lacrosse. He also grew up admiring the University of Notre Dame and still roots for them. Coincidences aside, it's only natural that Anders Lee is undoubtedly his favorite player.
"I think Anders is a great leader," Connor said. "Obviously, it's his number, but he wears the number that I always wore. It means a lot, that number, at Hofstra. The fact that he went to Notre Dame too, that was my dream school and favorite college of all time. It's cool that he went to Notre Dame and then became the captain of the Islanders."
While Connor, like most fans, is excited for the return of hockey he's also looking forward to getting back to work and doing what he loves most, serving and protecting his community.
