Deputy Inspector Elisa Cokkinos' Walk Out View Full Caption

WEST VILLAGE — Rows of uniformed NYPD officers lined up along West 10th Street Wednesday to salute the 6th Precinct’s commanding officer, who retired after more than 25 years with the NYPD.

NYPD officers who came from commands all over the city broke into applause and cheers as Inspector Elisa Cokkinos exited the stationhouse Wednesday afternoon. She was saluted by members of the Bomb Squad, headquartered on Charles Street just behind the precinct, as well as from her former command at Chelsea's 10th Precinct, which she led before coming to the Village.

“I’ve known her for over 20 years, since she was an undercover,” said Sgt. Gregory Abbott, who worked for Cokkinos at the 6th Precinct. “I watched her go through the ranks through her whole career and she’s done very well in each rank.

“It was an honor to be with her in her last command.”

Cokkinos paused to embrace a few of her officers and accept a bouquet of flowers before getting in a waiting SUV and driving away without speaking to reporters.

Abbott said he only had one regret about the day: that he had opened the passenger side door of the SUV for Cokkinos, instead of the driver side door, which she ended up using.

“I just wish I held the right door on her last day,” Abbott added sheepishly.

Some of the people present on Wednesday didn't even know Cokkinos well, including NYPD Legal Bureau attorney Carrie Talansky, who said she'd gotten to work with Cokkinos "in the field" over the past two years while she led the 6th Precinct.

"She’s just a hero," Talansky said. "She’s really an inspiration to the females in the department."

Talansky said Cokkinos "rose through the ranks during a time when there were significantly fewer women in the department" and has a reputation for being universally well-respected among both women and men.

"Everyone looks up to her so much," Talansky said. "I feel lucky I got to work with her, and sad to see her go."

Sources said a replacement for Cokkinos has been chosen, but the NYPD did not release a name when asked.

Capt. Andrew Lombardo, who was Cokkinos' executive officer at the 10th Precinct before spending a year in Afghanistan as a U.S. Army reservist, agreed that Cokkinos was “a great leader.”

Lombardo said the number of people who turned up to say goodbye showed what a strong figure the CO was in the department, and the people who worked under her agreed.

"She's definitely a role model for me," said 6th Precinct Sgt. Linda Doherty. "Real loss for the department, but I wish her a lot of luck. She deserves all the happiness in the world."