Chamber Hosts 2023 Police Officer of the Year Luncheon

Jul 27

On Wednesday, July 26, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2023 Police Officer of the Year Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, which celebrate the bravery of a select group of NYPD police officers, detectives, and sergeants.

The event, sponsored by Signature Sponsors Gerald Peters, Richmond University Medical Center, Sottile Security, Staten Island University Hospital, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, as well as Partner Sponsor JAG-ONE Physical Therapy, gathered more than 250 attendees, which included NYPD members, their families, and representatives from the Staten Island business community.

The event featured remarks from First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, Borough Commander Joseph Gulotta, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Linda Baran, and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.

“It is my absolute honor and privilege to honor the very best of our NYPD,” said Linda Baran. “The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce - and the business community as a whole - is deeply appreciative of all that you do. “

“We all know very well that, unfortunately, some pay the supreme sacrifice to protect this city and protect Staten Island,” said Borough President Vito Fossella. “And we all know that when you walk out the door with your gun and your shield, you pray to God that you can come home to kiss your kids tonight. But, today we take a few minutes to honor 12 distinct groups and some detectives for going above and beyond. So, to all of you who’ve gone above and beyond, and frankly all of you who took an oath to protect me, my family and everybody across Staten Island, I say, ‘God bless you’.”

“Be proud of yourselves, be proud that you live here and you work here,” said Commissioner Kinsella. “What you do makes this city safe. Do not let anyone tell you any different. You make this city safe. You make our borough safe.”

The Police Officer of the Year Award was presented to PO Mickel Hanna and PO Louis Iorio of 123 Precinct. Police Officer Mickel Hanna and Police Officer Louis Iorio of the 123 Precinct were honored for successfully dismantling a dangerous situation with a religious extremist, in which Officer Iorio received a large laceration to the face.

The Detective of the Year award was awarded to Narcotics Borough Staten Island. Staten Island Det. Michael Forster, Det. Christian Cataldo, Det. Richard D’Ambrosio, Det. Matthew Reich and Det. Dominick Libretti received detective of the year honors for executing a narcotics search warrant in New Springville on January 20, 2022, that left Libretti with a gunshot wound.

Gerald Amerosi (Gerald Peters) and Salvatore Sottile (Sottile Security) served as the event committee’s co-chairs. Michele Esposito (The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce) was the committee’s head. Other committee members included William Amaniera (Richmond University Medical Center), Lieutenant Rafet Awad (NYC Police Department), Mike Bloomfield (Tekie Geek), John DiCaprio (NYPD, retired), Braken Fiore (Blue Wealth), David Goodwin (Staten Island University Hospital), Detective Mary Kelly (NYC Police Department), Robert Kempster (Alpha Group Services LLC), Michael Laterza (Flash Security Integrators, Inc.), Joseph Miller (Vestis Insurance Agency), Sergeant Daniel Quinn (NYC Police Department), and Dan Ryan (Staten Island Media Group).