New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico commended and recognized 25 individuals and one unit for bravery, investigative persistence, police education, traffic safety, community service and overall exceptional contributions at the New York State Police Annual Awards Day Ceremony.
The 39th annual ceremony, held at the New York State Police Academy, pays tribute to the courage and perseverance of employees and sworn members of the New York State Police.
Today’s awards ceremony immediately followed the State Police’s Annual Memorial
Day Service to honor the memory and service of deceased members of the State Police. In 2014, the New York State Police lost one member in the line of duty, Trooper Christopher G. Skinner, Troop C.
Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “Every day State Police employees work to keep New Yorkers safe and secure. Today, we recognize State Police employees, sworn and non-sworn, who have shown extraordinary commitment to this agency and the people of New York. These employees have shown tremendous bravery, dedication or leadership out on the road, or at one of our installations across the state. It is the quality and hard work of our employees that continues to make the State Police a premiere law enforcement agency.”
The following awards were presented:
Brummer Award – Highest Award for Heroism
The Brummer Award, established in 1968 by Wall Street financier and philanthropist Bertram F. Brummer, represents valor, heroism, and outstanding performance of duty by members of the New York State Police. Inclusive of this year, the Brummer Award has been presented 97 times, including 13 times posthumously.
Trooper Bruce J. Stoffolano – Troop D
On Friday, April 25, 2014, Trooper Stoffolano responded to a Village of West Winfield location for a call of an active domestic incident. A female caller reported to 911 that her husband was in a heated conversation with his grandmother, which escalated to the point where both women feared for their lives. During the 911 call, the male subject cut the telephone cord with a knife. Upon entering the residence, Trooper Stoffolano encountered two elderly subjects and an aggressive male subject. The man had an electrical cord wrapped around his neck, was brandishing a large knife and was screaming at Trooper Stoffolano to kill him. The Trooper tried to calm the man using State Police and U.S. Marine training, directed the male subject several times to lay the knife down and halt his advancement. Instead, the male subject took several steps towards Trooper Stoffolano with the knife raised in a threatening manner. Trooper Stoffolano fired one round from his Division issued sidearm. Trooper Stoffolano summoned for assistance and then began to administer first aid to the wounded subject.
Superintendent’s Commendation Awards
The recipients of the Superintendents Commendation Awards were selected from the many members who have received Letters of Commendation from the Superintendent during the past year. The awards presented today recognize the recipients’ outstanding performance of duty and exceptional contribution to the New York State Police.
Trooper Paul M. Salzler -Troop A
On June 29, 2014, Trooper Salzler assisted the Erie County Sheriff’s Office with a report of a suicidal subject in the town of Colden. Upon arrival, he and a deputy walked to the back of the property and observed the despondent person standing at the edge of a ravine, which dropped approximately 300 feet to a shallow creek. Trooper Salzler immediately initiated dialogue with the highly intoxicated and distraught man, but he leapt from the ledge. After observing the subject lying face down in the creek below, Trooper Salzler quickly descended the steep ravine to provide urgent medical care to the victim, who was unresponsive and motionless in the water. He lifted the subject’s head out of the water to allow the victim to breathe while also taking precautions to stabilize the subject. Trooper Salzler provided medical care for approximately 45 minutes until EMS personnel were able to safely access the ravine from an alternate route.
The victim was subsequently transported to the Erie County Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition for a traumatic brain injury, as well as multiple bone fractures, lacerations, and abrasions.
Trooper John W. Dycha, Investigator Matthew J. Stegner – Troop A
In April of 2014, a subject walked into the SP Machias station and reported his 55-year-old wife was missing and possibly suicidal. A vulnerable missing person message was forwarded to all the local agencies and Investigator Stegner and had the missing woman’s cellular phone pinged, due to the exigent circumstances and concern for her welfare. An approximate location was obtained and Investigator Stegner and Trooper Dycha drove with the husband to the coordinates, a logging trail. Approximately 200 yards down the trail, the victim’s abandoned vehicle was found. Approximately a quarter mile further down the trail, Trooper Dycha discovered the victim unconscious on the ground, with three prescription bottles nearby. Investigator Stegner tended to the victim and found a pulse and faint breathing as Trooper Dycha contacted his dispatch point and requested a four-wheel rescue vehicle to respond. The victim was extracted from the forest by the local fire departments via a basket and an ATV. She was flown by Mercy Flight to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, NY, where she remained unconscious for several days, but subsequently regained consciousness and made a full recovery.
Trooper Marcia L. Pooler, Trooper Leston W. Sheeley – Troop B
While assigned to SP Schroon Lake in Troop B, Trooper Pooler attempted to stop a speeding violator on Interstate 87 near Exit 28 in the town of Schroon. The violator refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued southbound. The pursuit was terminated after losing sight of the violator heading into Troop G at the Essex-Warren county line. A short time later the vehicle was located northbound on Route 9 in the Town of Schroon and Trooper Pooler initiated a second pursuit. She was soon joined by Trooper Sheeley and a New York State Environmental Conservation Officer. A tire deflation device was successfully deployed, deflating the passenger side tires of the pursued vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop and the operator of the vehicle fled into a wooded area adjacent to the highway, with Trooper Pooler and Trooper Sheeley in foot pursuit.
Trooper Sheeley reached the suspect first and was immediately engaged in a violent struggle. Trooper Pooler arrived just as the subject began to overpower Trooper Sheeley, and she immediately attempted to take the suspect into custody. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect attempted to remove Trooper Pooler’s Division-issued service weapon from her holster, at which time she warned Trooper Sheeley that the subject was gaining control of her sidearm. Trooper Sheeley, who was recovering from the subject’s violent attack, was able to draw his sidearm and shoot the subject, undoubtedly saving both of them from further serious injury or death.
Investigator Joseph B. Maurer – Troop D
In September of 2013, the parents of a 15-year-old girl in Carthage, New York, became suspicious of their daughter’s online activity. Investigator Maurer responded to the residence and an interview with the girl disclosed that for several months she had been using Skype to transmit sexual performances on the internet to an anonymous person she believed was a 16-year-old male. Investigator Maurer’s initial investigation revealed three other underage teen girls were also involved in this activity. Investigator Maurer conducted sensitive interviews with the girls and their parents, secured all the electronic devices and forwarded them to the Computer Crimes Unit for analysis. He also requested subpoenas from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office be sent to multiple cell phone companies and internet service providers. When it became evident that the person the girls were in contact with was from outside this state, Investigator Maurer notified and requested assistance from the FBI in Syracuse and the U.S. Attorney’s Office also became involved. In April of 2014, the FBI executed a search warrant on the Marina, California residence of a 41-year-old man who admitted to posing as the teenage boy on the internet in order to manipulate the young girls into performing the acts. Extensive electronic evidence was seized and thirteen victims from throughout the country have been identified. In October of 2014, the defendant pled guilty to the Production of Child Pornography and will be sentenced to prison for a minimum of 15 years.
Investigator Amy T. Crosier – Troop E
On July 3, 2014, while off-duty, Investigator Crosier was at the Arrowhead Golf Course when she heard someone yelling for help. She and an Arrowhead groundskeeper responded and found a car partially submerged in the Erie Canal with a woman on the hood screaming her husband was still trapped inside. Investigator Crosier and the groundskeeper immediately entered the water and Investigator Crosier entered the car to hold up the 77-year-old man while they attempted to release him from the seatbelt. They were successfully able to free the man and bring both victims safely from the water. Investigator Crosier then went back in the water to retrieve the man’s cane before the vehicle became completely submerged.
Trooper Seamus R. Leavey, Trooper David P. Ennist – Troop G
On June 22, 2014, Troopers Seamus Leavey and David Ennist responded to a reported structure fire at an apartment complex in the town of Clifton Park. Both Troopers began evacuating apartments and learned the resident of the apartment where the smoke was coming from was not accounted for. With no response received after banging on the door and the door not hot to the touch, entry was attempted. Encountering heavy smoke conditions, Troopers Leavey and Ennist, along with the Chief of the Vischer Ferry Fire Department crawled through the apartment searching for victims. An unconscious man was located in the apartment and was dragged from the apartment. After his removal, he became conscious and was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, but was otherwise unharmed.
Trooper Matthew W. Landon – Troop K
In December of 2014, Trooper Matthew Landon and other uniform and BCI members of SP Dover Plains responded to a 911 call of a suicidal male at a home on State Route 22 in the town of Dover. Upon arrival, Trooper Landon observed a 41-year-old subject standing in the driveway with a knife in his hand. The subject’s fiancé advised responding members that he had previously attempted “suicide-by-cop” in nearby Putnam County and would deliberately attempt to provoke them into shooting him. After speaking with the subject’s fiancé, Trooper Landon immediately initiated verbal contact with the man. While brandishing the knife, the subject advanced towards the responding troopers. A Division-issued Taser was deployed and the subject pulled one prong out of his arm so the Taser would not incapacitate him. Protected by other members with drawn sidearms, Trooper Landon continued to calmly talk to the subject. He told him that no one had a desire to shoot him, and reassured him they were all there to get him the help that he needed.
The man eventually dropped the knife and agreed to be transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Trooper Michael J. O’Flaherty – Troop K
On December 10, 2014, while observing traffic on State Route 9D in the town of Wappinger, Trooper Michael O’Flaherty noted a pick-up truck matching the description of one believed to be operated by a suspected robbery suspect who had committed numerous armed robberies in several counties. Trooper O’Flaherty appropriately stopped the vehicle to investigate further and noted a BMX bicycle in the bed of the truck matching the description of one used by the suspect during many of the robberies. Trooper O’Flaherty contacted other area patrols and investigators to assist in securing the suspect and his vehicle. The suspect was then transported to SP Wappinger for further questioning, and his vehicle was impounded at the barracks to facilitate a thorough and lawful search. The suspect was ultimately arrested.
Trooper Sean D. Kelly – Troop K
On November 1, 2014, while operating his patrol vehicle southbound on the Taconic State Parkway in the town of Putnam Valley, Trooper Sean Kelly observed a vehicle off the west shoulder, partially engulfed in flames. He quickly approached the vehicle and observed that the sole occupant was trapped and being consumed by the flames. With the assistance of two Good Samaritans, Trooper Kelly forcefully gained access to the vehicle and removed the crash victim from the passenger side. Without hesitation, Trooper Kelly then quickly retrieved the fire extinguisher from his patrol vehicle and extinguished the victim’s burning legs. While waiting for EMS to arrive, Trooper Kelly heard what sounded like ammunition exploding within the burning vehicle, confirmed his observation with the operator, moved everyone to a safe location, and advised all responding emergency personnel. The victim was found to be in possession of a .45 caliber Colt pistol in a shoulder holster, without a valid pistol permit. The weapon was safely secured without incident and taken into evidence.
Trooper Edward M. Kuhn, Trooper Philip G. Pernice – Troop L
On November 27, 2014, while patrolling the Southern State Parkway, Troopers Kuhn and Pernice observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed that unsafely passed them in the left lane. As the vehicle passed their location, it attempted to exit the highway, failed to negotiate a curve and entered the woods striking a large tree. The Troopers approached the vehicle when it suddenly burst into flames with all occupants still trapped inside. Troopers Kuhn and Pernice quickly began to extinguish the fire and successfully kept it from reaching the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The Troopers, along with emergency services personnel, extricated the victims, one deceased, from the vehicle.The operator has since been arrested for vehicular homicide and will now be held criminally accountable for causing the death of his passenger.
Investigator Robert A. Faynor (retired) – CNET
On June 13, 2014, Investigator Faynor was assigned to the Syracuse Gang Violence Task Force. The Task Force had been formed to combat violent street gangs operating in and around Syracuse. Due to a history of violence at funerals for alleged gang members, the Task Force was conducting surveillance when information was developed that a subject present at the funeral was armed with a handgun. As members of the Task Force approached the 23-year-old man, he fled on foot through the crowd, grasping at an object in his waistband. As the man ran across the front lawn of the church, Investigator Faynor positioned himself to intercept the fleeing subject and then tackled him to the ground. While being tackled, the subject dropped a loaded .38 caliber handgun. The man was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd.
Trooper Kevin P. Dobson Traffic Safety Award
The Traffic Safety Award recognizes a member’s commitment to saving lives and reducing accidents through public education and enforcement. This award is made possible with the help of the New York State Trooper Foundation. The award is named in honor of the late Trooper Kevin P. Dobson who was killed on March 26, 2011 on Interstate 290 in the Town of Tonawanda, Erie County. While outside his patrol vehicle conducting a vehicle and traffic stop, Troop Dobson was struck and killed by a passing motorist.
Trooper Michael J. Niezgoda Jr. – Troop A
Trooper Niezgoda entered Division service on September 27, 1993, and is assigned to Troop A at SP Clarence. He has educated and affected thousands of motorists in his highway safety efforts. In 2014 he issued 945 tickets, with 475 of them for speeding.
Trooper Niezgoda was also instrumental in the coordination of three motorcycle enforcement details in the summer of 2014. His expertise in motorcycle safety and enforcement is routinely sought after by many agencies in the Troop A area, and he also assists in the coordination and participation of many benefit rides.
Trooper Niezgoda also continues to serve as a Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Marine Corps. In his near 25 years with the Marine Corps, he has served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and received 27 military decorations including the Purple Heart, two Navy Commendations and twice awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
George M. Searle Memorial Award
The George M. Searle Memorial Award, established to honor the late Deputy Superintendent George M. Searle, is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in training and education.
Sergeant Chad K. Niles – Troop B
Technical Sergeant Ronald M. Pena – Troop B
Troop B Emergency Management Non-Commissioned Officer Chad K. Niles and Troop B Senior Firearms Instructor Technical Sergeant Ronald M. Pena have long demonstrated an unsurpassed level of initiative in coordinating active shooter trainings. Since 2009, both Sergeants have coordinated the training of more than 2,500 civilians in more than 25 training events. Twenty of these active shooter drills were in school districts and included federal, state, tribal, county, and local law enforcement agencies.
Sergeant Niles and Technical Sergeant Pena have also coordinated and conducted active shooter drills at hospitals, industrial facilities and shopping malls.
The Sergeants have also created an active shooter training program for the law enforcement community, including classroom presentations, practical exercises and team movements. To date, more than 150 police officers in the Troop B area have received this active shooter training.
Trooper William V. McDonagh Award
This award was established in honor of the late Trooper William McDonagh, who was killed in the line of duty on December 14, 1975. Trooper McDonagh actively participated in community events and this award recognizes State Police members for their exceptional community service efforts.
Trooper Douglas K. Layman Jr. – Troop C
Trooper Douglas K. Layman Jr. entered Division service on September 21, 1987 and has spent the majority of his career in Troop C. He is currently assigned to the Communication section at SP Sydney.
For more than 20 years he has been an active participant in the Northeast Police Ski Championships. This charitable event has attracted law enforcement personnel from more than 35 agencies throughout the northeast and Canada. Trooper Layman both participants in and coordinates the event. To date, the the Northeast Police Ski Championships has raised more than $225,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Chapters in New York and Vermont.
Trooper Layman also dedicates much of his off-duty time volunteering as an instructor for the Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham Mountain. This program trains athletes of all ages and with all types of disabilities to participate in winter sports.
Superintendent’s Unit Citation Award
This award was established to recognize the outstanding efforts made by members of a particular unit or detail.
Troop B Forensic Identification Unit
The Troop B Forensic Identification Unit’s geographic area of responsibility covers more than 8,000 square miles of northern NY. This is the largest area for any Troop and includes the longest segment of international land border with Canada in the state. As the primary law enforcement agency in the region, Troop B provides forensic investigation and collision reconstruction services to a vast number of state, county, tribal and local law enforcement partners. In 2014, the eight members of the Troop B Forensic Identification Unit responded to 18 major incidents or crime scenes and conducted 38 collision reconstructions.
Notable cases in 2014 included two Amish girls abducted from in front of their home in St Lawrence County and a crash on the Northway of a tour bus from Quebec that overturned while carrying 56 passengers, killing one. The response, scene processing, photography and evidence collection by the Troop B Forensic Identification Unit for these cases was instrumental in determining the relevant facts of each incident.
Supervisor Recognition Awards
These awards recognize the outstanding work ethic demonstrated by both sworn and non-sworn supervisors who coordinate and oversee various units within the State Police.
Mr. Charles L. White – Director of Communications Systems
Mr. Charles “Chuck” White joined Division in 1984 as a Communications Specialist in Troop E and then Troop K. Through hard work and dedication, he has progressed up the ranks. In 2002 he became the Assistant Director of Communication and in June of 2009 he rose to his current position of Director of Communications Systems for the entire Division of State Police.
In that capacity Mr. White supervises a staff of both sworn and non-sworn employees who are involved in every aspect of maintaining our emergency radio system, our communications centers and our affiliations with the County 911 facilities throughout the state.
He encourages a team environment within his section and fosters collaboration with other Division Sections and Troop personnel.
Mr. White has continually shown that he is a supervisor that mentors his subordinates and provides them opportunities to develop their skills and expertise.
He has also faced the fiscal and staffing challenges of the recent past head-on and stepped up to the challenges they posed by absorbing many of the tasks associated in his previous assignment as the Assistant Director.
Sergeant/Station Commander Fred R. Atkinson – Troop B
Sergeant Fred R. Atkinson is a 20-year veteran of the New York State Police and has served in a supervisory position for the past 12 years in Troop B. He is currently assigned to SP Plattsburgh.
Sergeant Atkinson advocates continuous improvement and learning and does so as an advocate for training.
One of many the many training regimens Sergeant Atkinson promotes is Operation Jetway. This program educates Troopers in the techniques, tactics and procedures utilized by drug traffickers in commercial transportation centers. This training has resulted in countless felony arrests.
Sergeant Atkinson is also dedicated to his community. As a proud veteran and a Bronze Star recipient, he works to ensure World War II Veterans are appropriately honored. The North Country Honor Flight flies World War II Veterans from Plattsburgh to the World War II Memorial in Washington DC. Sergeant Atkinson ensures the Honor Flight Bus is escorted by the State Police and even arranges to pick up Veterans who are without a means of transportation.
He does all of this while running one of the busiest stations in the entire state. Sergeant Atkinson is able to balance his time to address the administrative needs of the station and still get out in the field and pursue intoxicated drivers. He has made a total of 75 arrests for Driving While Intoxicated in the past two years.
Civilian Employee Recognition Awards
The Civilian Employee Recognition Award is presented to civilian employees who have made significant contributions to the Division of State Police.
Ms. Terri Jo A. Gallagher – Troop F
Ms. Terri Jo A. Gallagher has been a Communication Specialist for the Division of State Police since 1988, the majority of those years spent in Zone 3 of Troop F.
She is currently assigned to SP Catskill where she has been described as a person who manages the desk operations at the station with a sense of ownership.
Ms. Gallagher can always be counted on by Troopers, Sergeants and Investigators to assist with investigations within the means available to her at the SP Catskill desk. Often times she will take the initiative and provide investigative assistance to a member without being asked.
Outside the scope of her Communications Specialist duties, Ms. Gallagher maintains contact with members of the SP Catskill family, present and past. She has stayed in close contact with the families of fallen Troopers David Brinkerhoff and David Lane and she is behind the scene at every event in their honor.
Mr. Lawrence W. Guisti Jr. – FIC
Mr. Lawrence W. Guisti Jr. entered Division service in 1998 as a Forensic Scientist in the Drug Chemistry Section at the Forensic Investigation Center. In 2006, he was promoted to his current position of Forensic Scientist 4, in the quality assurance section of the Laboratory System.
While his dedication to his position is commendable, it is his efforts in the Lab’s transition into the Windows 7 operating system that deserves formal recognition. The compatibility of the older lab instrumentation posed significant issues when Windows 7 was being launched statewide. Through Mr. Guisti’s expertise, diligence, and problem-solving skills, he developed patches and other work-arounds to ensure vital instrumentation and software in the section were compatible with the new Windows 7 in both the Drug Chemistry and Biology/DNA sections of the lab. His efforts saved the Division hundreds of thousands of dollars.
