James C. Harrelson, Dep. Warden honored for releasing inmates to help rescue people from burning wreckage of the LaGuardia Airport plane that crashed on Rikers Feb. 1, 1957.  Both Thomas & Harrelson became DWs same date & received permanent warden appointments same date. Expect for Thomas’ getting provisional warden status 3 years earlier, they tie for 1st honors.
	James C. Harrelson images are NYC Dept. of Correction (NYC DOC) photos in the archives managed by the NY Correction History Society. All rights retained by and reserved to NYC DOC.