Police Officer of the Year Luncheon 2021 Honors 57 NYPD Members

Jul 16

By Michael Anderson, Content Development Specialist

It’s certainly no easy task choosing the Police Officer of the Year.

Every situation is different. Methods used to solve crimes change. Outcomes vary.

But one thing remains constant – no matter the circumstances, members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) patrol our neighborhoods daily to keep Staten Island a safe place to live and work.

Scroll down for a photo gallery from the event, featuring photos from Staten Arts Photography.

On Thursday, July 15, that was certainly on display, as the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and Staten Island Advance recognized 57 members of the NYPD for their hard work and dedication at Thursday’s Police Officer of the Year Luncheon. The event was co-sponsored by Empire State Bank, Gerald Peters Inc., Northfield Bank, Richmond University Medical Center, and Sottile Security International Inc.

The Chamber’s Safety and Security Committee reviewed the compelling and unique recaps from the monthly recipients before selecting the prestigious Police Officer of the Year Award winners.

Since last year’s Luncheon was canceled due to the pandemic, Thursday’s Luncheon cited 2019 and 2020 officers and honored Police Officer of the Year winners from the past two years.

2019 POLICE OFFICERS OF THE YEAR

Police Officers Vanesa Medina, Raychel Campanella-Rivera, Leah Ortiz, and Duane Conner were selected as Police Officers of the Year for 2019 for putting their lives on the line during a shooting incident on Sept. 17, 2019.

A victim alerted P.O. Medina and Campanella-Rivera about her ex-boyfriend, Gregory Edwards, who she said physically assaulted and threatened her the previous day. When the victim located Edwards, the Officers called for backup and dropped off the victim a block away to ensure her safety. Once P.O. Ortiz and Conner arrived at the scene, the four Officers attempted to bring Edwards into custody. As a struggle ensued, P.O. Campanella-Rivera struck Edwards with a taser. However, he pulled away and drew a loaded firearm from his waistband and fired two rounds, one of which struck P.O. Medina in the left hand. The Officers returned fire and struck Edwards, who was later pronounced dead at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze. Meanwhile, P.O. Medina was transported to Richmond University Medical Center, where she underwent surgery for her injuries.

2020 POLICE OFFICERS OF THE YEAR

Also, Police Officers Nicole LaTona and Nicholas Franzese were selected as Police Officers of the Year for 2020 for quickly arresting a murder suspect without incident on May 11, 2020.

After receiving a radio call of shots fired inside a residence, the Officers were met by a female upon reaching the destination. She stated her friend was shot. As the Officers attempted to enter the location, they saw a man exit the home who tried to flee. Officer LaTona saw blood on his clothing, and both Officers quickly handcuffed the individual. Upon entering the location, the Officers observed three shooting victims. Two died from their injuries, and the third was in serious condition. The arrested man – later identified as Philip Moreno with 19 previous arrests – possessed a black 22-caliber semi-automatic firearm with a silencer.

POLICE COMMISSIONER SALUTES HONOREES

NYC Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was the keynote speaker and remarked about the recaps that were read aloud to the nearly 350 people in attendance at Li Greci’s Staaten. During his speech, the 44th police commissioner of the City of New York praised the members of the NYPD for their challenging jobs and noted the importance of support from friends, family, and the community.

“I’ve often said in the daily briefings, give us three things: Tools – and I was speaking specifically about certain laws -- resources, and support. And you can stay out of our way. We’ll get anything done,” he said. “I know they’ll get it done regardless, but that support category was certainly checked off here today. So, I thank everyone for that.”

SPECIAL THANKS

This year’s Safety & Security Committee which selected the Police Officers of the Year were: Co-Chairs Gerald Amerosi of Gerald Peters Inc. and Salvatore Sottile of Sottile Security Services Inc. as well as committee members: Commanding Officer Rafet Awad (NYPD); Detective Mary Kelly (NYPD); Police Officer Angeline Marra (NYPD Community Affairs); William Amaniera (Richmond University Medical Center); Michael Anderson (Staten Island Chamber of Commerce); Mark Giacalone (IDB Bank); David Goodwin (Staten Island University Hospital); Michael Laterza (Flash Security Integrators, Inc.); Thomas Mauro (Metro One Loss Prevention Services Group); Ricci Merendino (American Financial Network, Inc.); Mike Montalbano (TeamLogic IT); and Dan Ryan (Staten Island Advance).

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblyman Michael Reilly, Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, and representatives from the offices of State Senator Andrew J. Lanza and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon attended the Luncheon. Certificates were presented to the honorees from the offices of Congresswoman Malliotakis, State Senator Lanza, District Attorney McMahon, and Assemblyman Tannousis.

LIST OF HONOREES

January 2019: Police Officer Christopher Gonzalez, 123rd Precinct

February 2019: Police Officers Geovani Sanchez and Matthew Giacalone, 120th Precinct

March 2019: Police Officers Anna Legare and Angela Tanzillo, 123rd Precinct

April 2019: Sergeant William Gavigan and Police Officers Lee Wittek, Angel Espada, Arlene Cook, Nicholas Podaras, Angelo Tirado, John Siciliano, Anthony Gomez, and Christopher McKenna, 122nd Precinct

May 2019: Detective Manuel Sepulveda and Police Officer Joseph Perfetto, 121st Precinct

June 2019: Sergeant Lance Sigman and Police Officer Thomas Lawson, 121st Precinct

July 2019: Police Officers Salvatore Balistreri and Amir Pali, 120th Precinct

August 2019: Police Officers Frank Vega and Salvatore Mannino, 120th Precinct

September 2019: Police Officers Vanesa Medina, Raychel Campanella-Rivera, Leah Ortiz, and Duane Conner, 120th Precinct

October 2019: Sergeant Joseph Marcello and Vincent Gambino, Steven Marola, Dustin Levi, and Michael Devito, Patrol Borough Auto Larceny Unit

November 2019: Police Officer Joseph Wall, 122nd Precinct

December 2019: Police Officers Adam Aliotta and Matthew Shostak, 121st Precinct

Special Recognition: Detective Benjamin Colecchia & K-9 Timoshenko, Emergency Services K-9 Unit

January 2020: Police Officers Edward Aswad and David Parisi, 121st Precinct

February 2020: Police Officers Paul Bartelotti and Daniel Filak, 120th Precinct

March 2020: Police Officers Elio Chianetta and Vincent Casaletto, 123rd Precinct