New York Police Department Officer Shaundel Seymour received quite the surprise when she walked into NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea's office thinking she'd be given an award and, instead, came out with an engagement ring. Her boyfriend, retired NYPD Sergeant Henry Chernyavsky, surprised her and got down on one knee to propose, People magazine reports. Shea shared the news with a heartwarming video online.

"When you think you're going to the PC's office to receive an award, but you leave with a diamond ring & calling your retired-sergeant-boyfriend — your 'fiancée!' " Shea captioned the clip. "Join us in congratulating Shaundel & Henry — we're wishing them both the very best!"

The couple told the outlet that they're both over the moon regarding their newly engaged status. 

"We have gotten such great love and support from everyone. They are happy to see a love story involving the NYPD," the couple said. "We don't often get to see a softer side of the NYPD showing that we love and want to be loved just like anyone else."

Seymour, who works in the NYPD's licensing division, met Chernyavsky more than five years ago at a work-related event. Chernyavsky said he instantly fell for the officer's beauty while his fiancée said she fell in love with his personality. Fast forward to 2021, and Chernyavsky was ready to take their relationship to the next level — but he wanted to propose in a way she'd never forget. 

"One of my main goals was to surprise her, so I hadn't told anyone besides the people that were a part of it," Chernyavsky said of the proposal. "I am grateful that Police Commissioner Shea was able to help me propose to the love of my life."

Chernyavsky worked with the commissioner to organize a meeting, bringing Seymour in for an array of gifts. 

"I wasn't nervous going to the Commissioner's office because I was told that someone wrote a letter thanking me for being helpful and nice, so in my head it was for something good," Seymour explained. "When I opened the box and saw a big diamond, I thought to myself, 'Wow, I must have been really helpful to this person.'"

"Then the very next second, I realized I recognized the band. My dad's side of the family are jewelers and made the original ring for my mother," she said. "That's when it hit me that this was my proposal, but because I had not yet seen Henry and I was standing in the Police Commissioner's office, I was still a bit confused."

Like clockwork, Shea told Seymour to turn around and kneeling behind her was Chernyavsky, CBS New York reports. 

"I guess the police commissioner saw the confusion on my face and told me to turn around, and the rest is history," she continued.

"I've told him in the past that he doesn't often think outside the box. Well, I can't say that anymore," she joked of Chernyavsky. "He proved me wrong in the biggest and most beautiful way."

Planning the intimate moment was a challenge for the retired sergeant, but he tells the outlet he feels rewarded in her saying "yes" and seeing the look of surprise on her face. 

"Once I knew that everything was in place, I was feeling confident but also a bit nervous," Chernyavsky said. "I'll always remember how great everything went and how happy I was to truly surprise her."

The couple hasn't started on their wedding plans yet, but they say they have a message for people who are also touched by their engagement video: "Love prevails." 

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