Patriotic painting unveiled at Port Authority cops’ World Trade Center HQ

Port Authority police received a painting from a renowned artist that signifies law enforcement’s patriotism Tuesday as a massive donation was funneled to a charity that helps federal agents and their families.

The painting by David Banegas, called “American Flag / American Eagle,” was sponsored by philanthropist Michael Fux for “hundreds of thousands” of dollars with the proceeds going toward the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation.

The painting, which is a symbol of “unity, patriotism, and the enduring spirit of America’s law enforcement community,” was unveiled Tuesday afternoon at One World Trade Center and will be featured in the skyscraper’s Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department’s station house, foundation officials said.

Fux will have his name on a plaque next to the piece of art for his generosity.

“I always believe that those who help you would want to help … I know how difficult it is for [officers’] sometimes and I know when they get hurt, their life becomes very difficult,” Fux said at the unveiling ceremony.

The Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation has doled out more than $5 million in grants to federal agents or their families in times of crisis — sometimes within 24 hours — since 2001.

“With the burying of a loved one killed in the line of duty, a lot of people think that those funds are provided by the agency or so forth and a lot of times they’re not,” said George Kauper, who sits on the foundation’s board of directors.

“That’s left to the family to cope with that tragedy, even though they died in an official manner … Most families don’t have the liquid cash available.”

The foundation also gives money to law enforcement members and their families when an agent is injured or a family member is in need.

Banegas, who is based in Miami and internationally known, said donating the artwork was a simple gesture.

“Without them, we would not be safe,” he said in reference to law enforcement.

John Devito, the foundation’s sergeant at arms, said he hopes the generosity from Banegas and Fux will encourage others to help. He’d like to see a piece of work sponsored and donated to the FBI headquarters in New York next.

“The entire initiative is to support the arts, as well as give the donors who are generally just donating money, but this is an opportunity to buy a piece of history that’s going to hang in the actual offices of the men and women that we’re supporting on a daily basis. So it’s giving back to the community as well as the donors,” he said.

“Our goal is to continue doing this so ultimately one day we want to see one of these in every single headquarters around the country.”