Senator Croci Hosted 1st Annual “Law Enforcement Appreciation Ceremony”

NEW YORK – Senator Thomas Croci (R, C, I – Sayville) hosted the first annual “Law Enforcement Appreciation Ceremony” for the third Senatorial District on Thursday, May 12, 2016 with a roof-top event at the YMCA in Patchogue.

“I am honored to have the privilege to give recognition for individuals who risk their own well-being on a daily basis to make our communities safer and more enjoyable. These are individuals who do not ask for recognition, but are some of our greatest heroes because they do their public service as law enforcement officers for selfless and honorable reasons. We on Long Island are very grateful for all of our law enforcement officers and tonight we say an extra special ‘thank you’ to these honorees,” stated Senator Croci.

Senator Croci hosted the event to honor several outstanding individuals for their dedication to their communities through their exceptional law enforcement services and to kick off National Police Week, which runs May 15 – 21. Honorees were nominated by their law enforcement agency and the honorees for the evening included:

• Paul Bodnarchuk, NYPD Highway Patrol, Assistant Director of Code Enforcement, Village of Bellport
• Donald Mullins, Director of Code Enforcement, Village of Bellport
• Darien Riley, Public Safety, Town of Brookhaven
• Tracy Giannotti, Park Ranger, Town of Islip
• Jason Green, NYS Fire Marshall & Harbor Police, Town of Islip
• Gerard McCarthy, Suffolk County Police Department & Inspector, Village of Mastic Beach
• Edward Fitzgerald, Park Ranger, Suffolk County Park Rangers & Suffolk County Police Department
• Brian Laskowski, Park Ranger, Suffolk County Park Rangers
• Daniel Rudek, Park Ranger, Suffolk County Park Rangers
• Kevin Fallon, Deputy Chief, Suffolk County Police Department
• Joel Reines, Police Officer, Suffolk County Police Department
• Mitch Savino, Police Officer, Suffolk County Police Department
• David Juan, Probation Officer, Suffolk County Probation Department

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and Mastic Beach Village Mayor Maura Spery were also in attendance to pay tribute to the honorees. Musical performances were provided by local pianist Maurice Kemp and a reading of the poem “What is a Law Enforcement Officer” was provided by author and poet Deborah Lasassier.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov. Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jromero@nysenate.gov

Photo by The Office of Senator Thomas Croci.
Press Release by Jennifer Romero.
Made Available from The Office of Senator Thomas Croci.