Retired NYPD cop from Selden loses foot, community steps up

Friends of a retired NYPD officer from Selden who lost part of his leg this month amid a flurry of health complications are rallying to support him and his family.

A GoFundMe campaign created by his sister-in-law, Lisa Leonardi-Pastor, has raised nearly $9,000 as of Tuesday for Michael Banks, 58, a decorated former New York City police officer and 9/11 first responder.

The campaign’s goal is to assist Banks with his mounting medical bills and help him cope with an uncertain financial future.

Banks served in the NYPD’s 13th Precinct. Since retiring from the department, he has been working full-time as a public school security officer.

The situation was compounded by sepsis following a blood transfusion, and he continues to battle kidney and vascular issues, according to the GoFundMe page.

“Despite the best efforts of his medical team, they were able to save everything except his left foot,” the campaign states.

The loss has also cost Banks his job as a school security officer, a position that helped support his wife and three children.

“This has been a devastating blow for Mike and his family,” Leonardi-Pastor wrote, noting that his limited medical insurance does not cover the full extent of his care, rehabilitation and ongoing needs.

“Mike put decades of his best efforts towards helping others, and now he is the one in need of assistance,” the page reads.

Funds raised will go toward medical expenses, rehabilitation and day-to-day living costs.

_{Top: Michael Banks during his time with the NYPD (courtesy of GoFund Me).}