A New York state transit police officer will sing the national anthem before the New York Knicks' NBA game on Friday after a ceremony honoring the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
J.W. Cortes, a Brooklyn native, told POLICE Magazine he's proud to lend his voice to the event and be included among the responders who helped Sandy victims.
"Within the recovery process has emerged and solidified the call to action for many of our first responders and our military," Cortes wrote in an email. "Their faces have become symbolic of hope amongst desperation and courage amongst the fire."
Cortes has been featured on NBC's "Stars Earn Stripes." Prior to his acting career, Cortes spend 13 years in the U.S. Marines Corps, achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and serving in the beginning phases of the war in 2003. Cortes currently serves as an officer with New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department.
Cortes film credits include "As Good as Dead" (2010) and the soon-to-be-released "Blue Caprice" based on the Beltway sniper attacks. He also stars in, wrote and directed "Conscientious Objector," a short film inspired by his 2003 tour of duty in Iraq.
The Knicks are hosting the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. East Coast time.
