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A New York bond.
A Carolina chapter.New York roots.
Charlotte community.

We started with a few familiar faces and grew into a community built around service, friendship, and looking out for one another.We grew from familiar faces into a community of service, friendship, and support.

NYPD patch between United States and NYPD flags, labeled NYPD 10-13 Club of Charlotte, NC.

Harvey Katowitz, retired NYPD captain and Charlotte club co-founder, in our club’s fifth anniversary book — Harvey Katowitz · Historic portrait from our club’s fifth anniversary book

NYPD 10-13 Club founder Harvey Katowitz

Harvey Katowitz is a retired NYPD captain whose commitment to fellow officers continued after his 27 years with the department. His police career included the 46 Precinct anti-crime unit and a transfer to Bronx Narcotics in 1972.

After relocating to Charlotte, Harvey volunteered at a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police district office. One day he answered a call from Artie Green, a former NYPD sergeant he had worked with in the Bronx. Artie told him about retired officers in the area who gathered for meals and fellowship. That conversation helped Harvey reconnect with fellow officers and set our story in motion.

As the group grew, Harvey contacted the National 10-13 Organization about forming a local club. We began in March 2007 with 35 members. Our Founding Six were Harvey, Bob Hansen, Kevin Gribbon, Norm Lovitch, Dave Schultheis and Ed Weir.

Harvey led us for 19 years, stepping down at the end of 2025. Frank Irizarry became our president in January 2026. We honor Harvey as President Emeritus. President Emeritus is an honorary title; he also serves on our board as Immediate Past President and Newsletter Editor, sharing news and supporting our members and families.

Retired NYPD Captain Harvey Katowitz served the department for 27 years, including the 46 Precinct anti-crime unit and Bronx Narcotics, where he transferred in 1972.

After moving to Charlotte, he volunteered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. A call from former colleague Artie Green introduced him to local retirees whose gatherings became the foundation of our club.

In March 2007, Harvey, Bob Hansen, Kevin Gribbon, Norm Lovitch, Dave Schultheis and Ed Weir formed our NYPD 10-13 Club with 35 members.

Harvey served as our president for 19 years before Frank Irizarry succeeded him in January 2026. We honor Harvey as President Emeritus. President Emeritus is an honorary title; he also serves on our board as Immediate Past President and Newsletter Editor.

Harvey recounts his career and our club’s beginnings in his December 2025 farewell message.His December 2025 farewell shares this history.

Read Harvey’s account · December 2025Harvey’s December 2025 account

The people who started our club.The Founding Six.

These six founders helped us begin with 35 members in March 2007.

Harvey Katowitz
Bob Hansen
Kevin Gribbon
Norm Lovitch
Dave Schultheis
Ed Weir

Read Harvey’s founding account · December 2025Harvey’s December 2025 account

Support. Fellowship.
Service.

The term “10-13” is the New York City Police Department radio code meaning “Assist Police Officer.” For generations of officers, a 10-13 radio run represented an immediate call for help and the expectation that fellow officers would respond without hesitation. Our club continues that same spirit of mutual support, friendship, and service.

Our published club information describes us as an IRS not-for-profit 501(c)(7) organization. We help our members stay informed, support officer welfare, and encourage social, charitable, educational, and fraternal activities.Our published information describes us as a not-for-profit 501(c)(7). We support officer welfare, fellowship, and social, charitable, educational, and fraternal activities.

We bring together officers from the NYPD, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and other law enforcement agencies. Our shared experience reaches beyond any one department.Our shared experience connects NYPD, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and other officers across departments.

Learn about membershipMembership

July 1990A national organization.

The National NYCPD 10-13 Organizations came into formal existence, bringing chapters together to represent NYPD retirees.The National NYCPD 10-13 Organizations formally united chapters representing NYPD retirees.

March 2007Our Charlotte chapter begins.

Our Charlotte chapter begins with 35 members.Our chapter begins with 35 members.

January 2026The next chapter.

Harvey continues serving us as President Emeritus.

The colors and symbols we carry.Our club heritage.

The NYPD flag and shoulder patch carry the history of our city and our department.

NYPD flag with three green and two white bars, a blue canton, and twenty-four white stars. — The NYPD flag

The NYPD flag

The colors and elements of the NYPD flag represent specific aspects of New York City’s history and structure:

Green and white bars (five stripes): The three green and two white alternating horizontal bars represent the five boroughs of New York City.
The color green: Honors the rich history of New York law enforcement, tracing back to 1658 when the New Amsterdam “Night Watchmen”—the city’s first paid police force—carried lanterns with green glass. It is also recognized as a traditional police color and a nod to the department’s strong Irish heritage.
Blue field (canton in the upper left): Represents the New York City Police Department itself and the uniforms worn by its officers.
Twenty-four white stars: Set within the blue field, the stars symbolize the municipalities that consolidated into “Greater New York” in 1898—comprising three inner cities, nine towns, and twelve incorporated villages.

Read the NYPD flag’s history

Embroidered NYPD shoulder patch with Police Department and City of New York lettering. — The NYPD shoulder patch

The NYPD patch

From a department foldout card shared with our club. The card’s historical wording is preserved below.

The Police Department Patch was introduced to members of the service on July 1, 1971, after careful development and design.
The patch at its center contains elements from the official seal of the New York City Police Department. The figures represented on the patch are a shield with sails of a windmill. The windmill, representative of the Dutch, who colonized New York.
The supporters of the shield are Dexter, a sailor, representative of the shipping trade – his right arm bent, and holding in his hand, a plummet which was a navigational device of the period.
Sinister, an Indian of Manhattan, representative of the original inhabitants of the island of Manhattan. An American eagle with wings spread sits on top of the shield.
Above the eagle are five stars which represent the five boroughs that comprise the City of New York: above the stars are the Scales of Justice representative of the Police Department.

Our club identity

Our club’s original website banner

The familiar 10-13 retired badge

Our club logo · Faithful unto Death

The fifth anniversary book.

A piece of our history, preserving our early leaders, messages, and memories.Our early leaders, messages, and memories.

Open the anniversary bookAnniversary book

Part of the wider 10-13 family.

We’re affiliated with the National NYCPD 10-13 Organizations, Inc., founded in 1990 to advocate for retired NYPD members and support chapters across the country.

Visit the national organizationNational organization

A New York bond.A Carolina chapter.New York roots.Charlotte community.