STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As a kid, NYPD Capt. Kevin Russell dreamed of slam dunks and saving the world — either as an NBA star or Superman.

Instead, he found his calling in a different kind of heroism: policing.

Now, after serving years in the Coast Guard and with the NYPD across Manhattan and Staten Island, the Eltingville resident has come full circle, appointed this week as the new commanding officer of the 123rd Precinct on the South Shore .

“Being an officer was something I always wanted to do‚" he said. ”I wanted to serve my country. I joined the United States Coast Guard because they were like a fire department, police department wrapped in one.”

Russell served as executive officer at Staten Island’s 122nd Precinct, based in New Dorp, about four years ago. Since then, he has expa

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