NEW YORK, June 1 (UPI) -- Daniel Rodriguez, the New York City policeman whose tenor voice raised city spirits after Sept. 11, is retiring to pursue a vocal career.
The Police Department said Rodriguez has applied for retirement after 20 years on the force and quoted him as saying, "I'd like to dedicate myself to learning how much I can actually accomplish as a singer."
"I'm sad to leave because I really love the job, but I'm also happy to be moving forward," Rodriguez was quoted.
A hefty man with a winning personality, Rodriguez sang patriotic songs at many civic rallies following the destruction by terrorists of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center.
Apart from two CDs of his work, he says he has received a number of offers to sing in opera and has accepted to star in a production of Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme" in New Zealand next year as his operatic debut. He also has another CD recording coming out later this year.
