More Than 150 New Troopers Graduate from Across New York State
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today congratulated the 158 new members of the State Police at the 207th session graduation ceremony from the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.
“These new Troopers have answered the call and dedicated themselves to selflessly serving the people of New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “I commend these men and women for their hard work over the last 26 weeks and for their commitment to public service. Our state will be safer with these members joining the ranks and enforcing our laws.”
“There is no greater or more noble calling than protecting and serving the people of this state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who spoke at today’s graduation ceremony. “I’m honored to congratulate the more than 150 brave and selfless men, women and veteran graduates, who are committed to keeping New York and its citizens safe. Congratulations to the 207th graduating class and thank you for your brave and selfless service making a difference in the lives of others.”
New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “After 26 weeks of difficult classwork and training, the 207th Basic School will continue the fine tradition of the State Police members that have come before them. This graduation ceremony is the culmination of the hard work you have shown over the past six months. It is also a testament to your continued dedication, as you waited years before your name was called to join the long gray line. I congratulate all of our new members and wish you luck as you start your career.”
In addition to honoring all graduates from the 207th Session of Basic School, Superintendent Beach presented the following awards:
Academic Achievement Award
As a special incentive for all students attending the State Police Academy Basic School, the Superintendent sponsors the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of academic performance during Academy training.
The winner of the Academic Performance Award is Trooper Richard J. Caster, a 31-year-old resident of Howard Beach, New York. He is a graduate of Long Island University with a Bachelor Degree in History. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a police officer with NYPD for six years. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 98.15%. He will be assigned to Troop NYC.
Firearms Proficiency Award
The New York State Trooper Foundation has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of performance in all phases of firearms training.
The winner of the Superintendent’s Firearms Proficiency Award is Trooper Gene Rhee. age 30, of Pearl River, New York. He is a graduate of SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a recruit in the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. During firearms training, he fired an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop F.
Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award
The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa. Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City on March 5, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a Member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.
The winner of the Joseph T. Aversa Physical Training Award is Trooper Matthew P. Levine. He is 25 years old and resides in Island Park, New York. He is a graduate of John Jay College with a Bachelor Degree in Police Studies. Trooper Levine was previously employed as a police officer with NYPD. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 158 Members of the 207th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop K.
Student Representative
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm to the Member of the class who is selected by his or her peers to represent them during these exercises. The PBA presents the award in memory of Trooper John J. McKenna IV, who was killed in action in 2006, while serving his country as a Marine in Iraq.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Hall in Albany where the new troopers marched into the convention center in a procession lead by the New York State Police Pipe and Drum band. The National Anthem was performed by Sergeant Elizabeth Fallon. The ceremony included a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 206th Basic School Session.
Video sound bites with the members listed directly below are available on the New York State Police YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/nyspolice.
Trooper Richard J. Caster – Howard Beach
Trooper Caster will be assigned to Troop NYC.
Trooper Tiffany M. Degilormo- Hadley
Trooper Degilormo will be assigned to Troop G.
Trooper Trooper Matthew P. Levine- Island Park
Trooper Levine will be assigned to Troop K.
Trooper Maryama T. McCarty- Springville
Trooper McCarty will be assigned to Troop NYC.
Trooper Gene Rhee- Pearl River
Trooper Rhee will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper David M. Schulte- Oneonta
Trooper Schulte will be assigned to Troop C.
Trooper Jason R. Trembley – Clifton Park
Trooper Trembley will be assigned to Troop G.
Trooper Tapulei J. Vaveao – Adams
Trooper Vaveao will be assigned to Troop D.
The new troopers will report for field duty on November 19, 2018. For the following 10 weeks the new troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.
Below is a list of field training Troop assignments where graduates will begin field duty supervised by senior training officers. Included are the hometowns of the graduates.
FIRST NAME MI LAST NAME HOMETOWN
Troop B
Joseph D Akey Saranac Lake
Kimberly D Albright Whitesboro
Christopher M Boeshore Plattsburgh
Ethan E Czyzewski Plattsburgh
Morgan E Dupell Morrisonville
Adam P Duquette Plattsburgh
Alexis Egeberg Black River
Tyler M Flath Dexter
Ryan M Kocher Canton
Joseph S Montagnola Kenmore
Jeffrey T Phillips Fairport
Jennifer J Phillips Brasher Falls
Rusty L Renn Lakeview
David Rogers Peru
Adam M Tobrocke Plattsburgh
Jordan Winters North Lawrence
Troop C
Jeremy Appell Boston
Adam E Asbach Grand Island
Justine Bielewicz Hunt
Ethan E Borowicz Niagara Falls
Timothy W Brooks Fairport
Vincent M Cala Hamburg
Justyn Coomber Auburn
Zachary J Deaprix Scotia
Eric J Delecki West Seneca
Adam J Falkner Wilton
Matthew J Hammill Rome
Matthew J Hand Chenango Forks
Brett A Hulme Auburn
Sean A Hulser Utica
Nicholas A Jarmusz Cheektowaga
Jennifer L Jiron Fairport
Bradley Kaiding West Leyden
Matthew J Kaido Rome
Jeremy E Krupski Hamburg
Michael W Lawandus Lancaster
Caroline C Lennon Stamford
Brian P Leonard West Seneca
Patrick C Luvender Amherst
Corwin J Mackney Andover
Nicholas Marinaro West Seneca
Daniel P Mazzarella Otego
Meho Music Utica
Vincent J Rinaldo Canastota
Robert K Schafsteck Cherry Valley
David M Schulte Oneonta
Matthew R Shutter Alpine
Brian E Sierotnik Syracuse
James I Tubbins Jr Buffalo
Ronald S Ward Cape Vincent
James Williams Vestal
Matthew R Wright Cazenovia
Troop D
Mark A Cardinali Oneonta
Kevin P Daily Marcellus
Justin J Guba Marcy
Tyler Kerr Wolcott
Andrew D Penczek Auburn
Tapulei J Vaveao Adams
Troop F
Amanda M Alesci Middletown
Justin Aloisi Earlton
Luke T Brennan Pearl River
Brittany N Burton West Babylon
Samuel Davitadi Brooklyn
Matthew P Farbotko Plattsburgh
Nicole Fragomeni Mechanicville
Luke J Fremgen Wallkill
Thomas J Greene Schenectady
Tyler C Guerriere Lagrangeville
Michael A Kobito Rome
Kevin M Lupardo Youngsville
Edward C Meany Goshen
Conor A Moloney Rock Tavern
Andrew Paterson Poughkeepsie
Christopher M Petrone Pearl River
Michael J Piro Greenwood Lake
Paige N Remington Barker
John A Reyes Bronx
Gene Rhee Pearl River
Joe M Rodriguez Middletown
Zachary A Scher Troy
James M Schock Liverpool
Dean L Sheehan Goshen
Jeffrey R Shillingford West Hempstead
Peter Stramiello N. Massapequa
John M Thayer Jr Ellenville
Ryan D Thorp Whitney Point
Joseph C Tingue Horseheads
Robert L Vanvalkenburgh Tannersville
Thomas Victor Newburgh
Tracey Wandle Rocky Point
Matthew J White Fairport
Justin Whritenour Astoria
Michael J Wing Nassau
Kevin D Wippel Pine Bush
Troop G
Ryan A Baker Clifton Park
Kelly J Becker Ballston Spa
John R Bellard Schuylerville
Bobbi-Jean Bryden Rochester
Michael E Costabile Albany
Brian M Decarr Syracuse
John R Decristofaro Granville
Tiffany M Degilormo Hadley
Keegan K Greene Cobleskill
Daniel G Leach Cohoes
Joshua L Loveland Queensbury
Nolan J Mcmahon Saratoga Springs
Sean P Mcmullen Delanson
Jonathan C Mcnulty Malta
Shane P Merritt Albany
Ervis Miftari Albany
Peyton J Ogden Glens Falls
Robert Peluso Rensselaer
Robert J Razzano Clifton Park
Jason R Trembley Clifton Park
Anthony J Ward Elma
Troop K
Christopher A Batista Verbank
Alexandra A Bonilla New Rochelle
Jaime D Delarosa Port Chester
Mary Fitzsimmons White Plains
Binguyeneza G Fonseca-Sabune Mount Vernon
Gregory E Fraser New Rochelle
Matthew P Levine Island Park
Andrew J Loper Poughkeepsie
John Maricevic Hopewell Junction
Omar Maya White Plains
Eric A Nelson Riverhead
Luke Newton Oneida
Christopher J Quigley Salt Point
David Sabillon Bronx
Kyle J Van-Duyne Sayville
Troop NYC
Brian Anderson Floral Park
Joshua Aponte Jamaica
Cristian Ayala Farmingdale
Adreana M Bello Hopewell Junction
Michelle A Brutus Ridge
Frank Casillo North Massapequa
Richard J Caster Howard Beach
Omar R Colon Yonkers
Christina Haddock Bronx
Brian T Hoffmann Islip Terrace
Luis A Jimenez Bronx
Peter J Kunka Yonkers
Bienvenido Lugo New York
Brian Martinez Corona
Theodore J Maulen Peekskill
Maryama T Mccarty Springville
David J Meireles Yonkers
Ismael A Menjivar Bronx
Xhafer Nikovic Staten Island
Michael T Ortiz Lake Ronkonkoma
John Passela Howard Beach
Denis Podoleanu Sunnyside
Emily C Ruiz Bronx
Michelle J Schroll Latham
Stephen Tam Little Neck
Jake A Werdesheim Forest Hills
James M Zambik Jr West Hampton
Lilian A Zapata Bronx
