Westchester County Police Honors White New Rochelle Detective Charged in Police Brutality Case Against Black Civilian

VALHALLA, NY — Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola presented the Westchester County Police Honors Award — Category ll, 2nd Place to members of the New Rochelle Police Department including Det. Michael Vaccaro.

It is the second time in a month Vaccaro has been honored. NRPD held their Memorial & Awards Ceremony on October 6 at the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle. Detective Michael Vaccaro received a 2019 Four-Year Perfect Attendance Award and 2020 Five-Year Perfect Attendance Award, as well as two 2019 Unit Citation.

On July 1, Michael Vaccaro, aged 37, of New Rochelle, appeared before Judge Jared R. Rice where he was formally charged with two counts of Attempted Assault in the 3rd Degree, both misdemeanors in connection, with a road rage incident on February 15.

The Westchester County Police Honors Awards were for work in the investigation into the criminal activity of “8 Trey Crips” gang members who were operating in New Rochelle. The investigation, initiated by members of SIU and assisted by members of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Investigators, culminated in a 50-count indictment and the arrest of 14 members of the “8 Trey Crips.” Charges included conspiracy, attempted murder, robbery, burglary, and narcotic offences. A second, related 18-count indictment also charged five individuals with conspiracy to possess and sell cocaine.

Members awarded:

Det Lt. Brian Fagan

Sgt. Nicholas Zuzulo

Det. Christopher Guglielmo

Det. Michael Vaccaro

Det. Timothy Adrian

Det. Glen Spinner

Det. Melissa Diniz

Police Officer Oisin McGloin

Additionally, Det John Ladeairous was awarded the Westchester County Police Honors Award – Category ll, 2nd Place, for his work with “Operation Sledgehammer,” an insurance fraud investigation that led to the recovery of 5 handguns and well over $350,000.00 in stolen cash. It is currently the largest Enterprise Corruption case ever prosecuted in Westchester County.