In the May 30, 2013 issue of the Westchester Guardian
According to the keynote speaker, George Venizelos, Assistant Director of the New York FBI, at the New Rochelle Annual Police Department’s Memorial and Awards Ceremony, “what happened in Boston” could happen in New Rochelle. He stressed the need for cooperation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The numerous awards given on May 14 reflect the forward thinking of the New Rochelle Police Department. Twelve Police Officers were cited as Officers of the Month and one for the Employee of the Year Award. Many other awards were also given for exemplary services.
Designated as Officer of the Month of January 2012, Detective Kevin Waldron received the Police Commissioner’s Award and two Commendations. He led a chase by Officers against suspects who tried to buy prescription drugs with a forged prescription at an East Main Street drug store. Two suspects were apprehended in the north end, but Detective Waldron several hours later observed another man who was arrested as a third suspect.
A Commendation Award was given to Police Officer Ryan Watts who observed two men in the Pinebrook Boulevard area carrying a large box that is often used for construction equipment. When Officer Watts tried to stop the two men, one provided identification, but the other one refused to stop and both men fled in opposite directions. Officer Watts found tools that had been stolen from a home under construction. Both suspects were arrested for burglary and stolen property. Officer Watts was designated Officer for the month of February 2012.
The Lifesaver of the Year Award, and a Class C Citation was given to Police Officer Chris Gugliemo who followed a trail of blood and found a man bleeding profusely. He immediately applied direct pressure to control the bleeding in the wound and was credited with saving this man’s life. He was recognized as the March 2012 Officer of the Month;
With an impressive number of awards, Detective Michael Michael McKenniss, Officer of the Month for April 2012, was the recipient of the Police Commissioner’s Award, six Class C Citations, four Commendation Awards, a special Incident Citation, New Rochelle Municipal Housing Award and New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Individual of the Year Award. When a burglary was reported on Lincoln Street Detective McKenniss recognized similarities to other earlier burglaries and immediately developed a suspect. At the crime scene he found a fingerprint which led to the arrest of this suspect.
The May 2012 Officer of the Month, Detective Vincent Pisano, was the recipient of three Class C Citations, four Commendation Awards and one Unit Citation. When a complaint of prostitution at the Renue Spa was received, Detective Pisano led an undercover sting which led to an arrest of an employee of the Spa. The owner was later arrested when he offered Detective Pisano money for protection.
Police Officer John Ladeairous was patrolling on east Main Street near an auto dealership where numerous thefts of tires and parts had been reported. He observed a suspicious vehicle and after attempting to stop it, followed the vehicle to the Bronx where this suspect’s vehicle crashed into some parked cars. A passenger in the car was killed and the person operating the vehicle charged with vehicular manslaughter. Tires stolen from the New Rochelle auto dealership were recovered from the vehicle. The June 2012 Officer of the Month was awarded to Officer Ladeairous.
The July 2012 Officer of the Month Award was given to Detective Michael O’Rourke. He has received the Police Commissioner’s Award, six Class C Citations, four Commendation Awards, one Special Incident Citation, and the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority Recognition Award. A man was appended who had discarded a handgun while in flight. Detective O’Rourke thought this incident might be connected to an armed robbery in July and was able to confirm this was the suspect.
Officer Kenneth Hurst was cited as August 2012 Officer of the Month. When notifying a father of his son’s unexpected drowning accident in Arizona, the father of the deceased grabbed a knife and tried to stab himself in the stomach. Without hesitation, Officer Hurst grabbed the knife and restrained the father while radioing for assistance.
The recipient of a Class C Citation and Lifesaver Award, Police Officer Dwayne Jones was given the September 2012 Officer of the Month Award because he had made three arrests that month. In one noteworthy incident he arrested a male on felony charges for possession of a controlled substance.
Serving in the Special Investigations Unit, Detective Andre Fernandez, the October 2012 Officer of the Month, has three Class C Citations, four Commendation Awards, two Unit Citations and the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Recognition Award. When the Westchester County District Attorney Task Force alerted the Special Investigations Unit that a large quantity of methamphetamine might be found in New Rochelle, Detective Fernandez as lead investigator, organized the surveillance which resulted in two suspects being arrested. Fifty pounds of methamphetamine were seized, the largest amount ever seized in New York.
For the second time, Police Officer Hung-Haw Chern was recognized as Officer of the Month, in July 2009 and now in November 2012. He also received a Commendation Award. Officer Chern that morning had taken a copy of a photograph of a suspect in a larceny case with him on patrol. During his canvass of Main Street he saw a person who looked like this suspect. Officer Chern stopped and identified the suspect who was then arrested and charged.
Already the recipient of the Police Commissioner’s award, four Class C Citations, one Commendation Award. one Unit Citation, the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority Recognition Award and Officer of the Year for 2011, Police Officer Sean Kane was the December 2012 Officer of the Month. During December he self-initiated five arrests, one for criminal possession of Marijuana in the fifth degree, and another where seventy envelopes of heroin were recovered.
The Employee of the Year Award for Police Officer of the Year was given to Police Officer Vincent Marion. He has been awarded the Police Commissioner’s Award, two Class C Citations, two Commendation Awards and recognized twice as Police Officer of the Month. In 2012 he made 39 arrests, issued 198 parking summonses and 90 uniform traffic tickets. He is a Field Training Officer, a key position earned through his outstanding performance.
Residents of New Rochelle can understand why New Rochelle has been cited as one of the safest cities. Their hard working Police Officers deserve these accolades and the appreciation of the people who live and work here.