The "Distinguished Service Cross " is a very special and unique medal, established by the New York Shields to honor the memory of a fallen hero, Michael E. Neuner,Sr. The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to officers severely injured in the line of duty.

Michael began his law enforcement career with the Westchester County Department of Corrections, moving on to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and finally to the City of Peekskill Police Department. In 1996 he was named as Putnam County's police Officer of the Year. Throughout his career, Michael was also a volunteer fireman, having served within the Armonk Fire Department, the Patterson Fire Department, and the Brewster Fire Department. He also found time to volunteer at little league games and as a pallbearer at Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster.

Michael died on Sunday, June 22, 1997, as a result of injuries sustained while operating at a residential structure fire with the Brewster Fire Department. Michael E. Neuner served as a stellar example of someone who wanted to give as much as he could, when and wherever he served. In establishing the Distinguished Service Cross the Shields endeavor to ensure that Michael's legacy of heroism and service will be remembered for future generations.

In November of 1997 the New York Shields announced the first recipient of this new medal: NYCPD P.O. Neil Forster, who was seriously injured in the line of duty. Tragically, less than one month later, on December 11, 1997, after a heroic year long battle Neil Forster died from complications relating to the injuries he had suffered in the line of duty. The Distinguished Service Cross was established to honor the memory of a fallen hero, it now stands to memorialize two heroes both having made the "supreme sacrifice".

The New York Shields pledge their commitment to the memory of Michael and Neil and to the surviving families of these true heroes.