Crime & Safety

Police Honored at Ceremony For Going 'Above And Beyond' The Call

Port Washington police recognize their own at 2013 awards ceremony Tuesday.

Members of the Port Washington Police District were recognized this week at the 2013 Awards Ceremony for actions above and beyond the call of duty.

During the ceremony at Flower Hill Hose Company on Tuesday, Port Washington's finest were recognized for outstanding service during a series of incidents which took place from 2011 to 2013, including Superstorm Sandy.

Gives the police commissioners and the chief of staff and the opportunity to recognize exceptional actions of the men and women of the police district, said Acting Police Chief James Salerno.

Salerno said the awards ceremony also helps raise awareness in the community of the actions of those awarded.

"Tonight we give full public recognition to those who have brought honor to themselves and the police district," said Salerno. "You are our home front heroes and you are saluted."

Members of the police district, including officers, dispatchers and crossing guards, were awarded a Superstorm Sandy bar for helping to ensure the safety of the community in Oct. 29 to Nov. 10 in 2012.

Standing in for Nassau County Leg. Wayne Wink, who was scheduled to appear, Leg. Judi Bosworth, D-Great Neck, helped hand out the awards with other Nassau county police leaders.

Those awarded and their actions included:

Meritorious Police Service Award – Officer Brian McCarty
The Port Washington Police District in conjunction with the Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs conducted a sting operation on a local taxi company operating without a license Feb. 17, 2011. The operation resulted in three arrests, and three vehicles were impounded. Prior to the operation, McCarty took it upon himself to gather the necessary information and investigate all applicable laws and violations and was instrumental in setting up the operation with the other agencies and bringing this case to a successful conclusion.

Meritorious Police Service Award – Detective Sam Ferrara

Following an arrest of a suspect Dec. 2, 2011, Ferarra interviewed the man and was able to get a written statement of admission regarding a series of occupied burglaries he committed in the area. Ferrara, with the assistance of another officer, helped to recover stolen property from the burglaries and ensure the property was returned to the owners. The defendant was charged with four counts of burglary, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana. Four additional cases were closed with the initial arrest and one other arrest was made. 

Meritorious Police Service Award – Deputy Chief Ronald DeMeo, Det. Michael Alberti, Det. Sam Ferrara, Det. Anthony Guzzello, Det. Michael Dibiasi.


On Dec. 16, 2011, a victim responded to Port Washington Police District Headquarters where she reported that she had just escaped from a man holding her captive who struck her in the face. The victim reported that the defendant was armed with several firearms and considered to be dangerous. DeMeo, Guzzello and Dibiasi responded to the location where the victim was held hostage.  The officers assumed the inherent risks and set up an inner perimeter around the defendant's location to safeguard the surrounding residences. Alberti and Ferrara conducted the investigation that resulted in recovering crucial evidence that showed the defendant had planned the murders of his family. In addition, numerous firearms were recovered. The outstanding effort by all officers involved helped bring this investigation to a safe and successful conclusion. The defendant was charged with kidnapping in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, and menacing.

Command Recognition – Chief William Kilfoil, Lt. Jeffrey Morris, Det. Domenico Morrocu and Det. Raymon Ryan

On Dec. 16, 2011, Chief William J. Kilfoil and Lt. Jeff Morris supervised the Command Center during a barricaded armed subject investigation. Ryan and Morrocu conducted the investigation that resulted in the successful arrest of the barricaded subject and conclusion to a very complex and unusual investigation.

Letter of Appreciation – Officer John Bellini, Officer Robert Cavalli, Officer John Chalker, Officer Andrew Kurtzman , Officer Dwayne McCurty, Officer William McNally, Officer Matthew Miniter and Officer Joseph Nakelski

On Dec. 16, 2011, during a barricaded subject investigation involving an armed subject of a kidnapping, officers Chalker, Nakelski, Cavalli, McCurty, McNally, Bellini and Kurtzman displayed alertness, efficiency and dedication to duty in assisting in the successful conclusion and the arrest of a subject who as charged with kidnapping in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree and menacing.

Meritorious Police Service Award – Detective Anthony Guzzello

On March 14, 2013 a serious building fire occurred at 1 Herbert Ave. in an apartment building above a row of stores. With the assistance of a member of the Port Washington Fire Department, Guzzello, located the fire which was in the ceiling on the top floor. Guzzello, along with the fireman, began to evacuate the building by going door to door and warning the residents to leave the building. On at least one occasion, Guzzello had to forcefully enter an apartment to alert the occupants. Multiple fire departments were called for assistance to extinguish the blaze. Guzzello disregarded his personal safety and through his actions, prevented injury or death to the occupants of the building. 

Life Saving Award – Officer John Bellini, Officer Matthew Miniter,  Officer Lawrence Papa.

On October 18, 2010, officers Miniter, Bellini and Papa responded to the parking lot of Schreiber High School after a victim was suffering a possible heart attack.  The officers located the aided lying on the sidewalk unconscious and unresponsive. Through their training the officers determined the person was not breathing and had no pulse. The officers successfully revived the aided restoring breathing and circulation through CPR. The quick actions of the officers in recognizing a true emergency allowed the aided to be transported alive to said medical facility.

Lifesaving Award – Officer Alexander Mott  and Officer Ross Faria
On September 22, 2011, Mott and Faria were assigned to 25 North Bayles Ave. for a 911 report of an unconscious male. The officers assessed the condition of the aided who was in cardiac arrest. The officers initiated CPR and then used the AED to shock the aided.  A Port Washington Fire Department ambulance responded and the aided was transported to St. Francis Hospital with officer Faria continuing chest compressions during transport. The aided arrived at the hospital emergency room with their breathing and circulation restored. The quick actions of the Officers in recognizing a true emergency, performing CPR /Rescue breathing, and administering the AED, contributed to the aided arriving at the hospital emergency room with their breathing and circulation restored.

Lifesaving Award – Sgt. Thomas McCarthy, Officer Nicholas Dello-Iacono, Officer Michael Dibiasi and Officer Brandon Vail
On February 17, 2011 at 0700 hrs, Officers Dello-Iacono, Dibiasi, & Vail along with Sergeant McCarthy did respond to an aided case where the victim was in full cardiac arrest.  The above officers quickly assessed the situation, initiated CPR, and administered the AED. The quick actions of the Officers in recognizing a true emergency, performing CPR / Rescue breathing, using the AED, allowed the aided to be transported alive to said medical facility.  The man eventually made a full recovery

Lifesaving Award – Police Officer Michael Dibiasi & Police Officer Matthew Weber

On November 9, 2011, officers Weber and Dibiasi responded to an aided case.  When Weber arrived, he observed that the aided was in full cardiac arrest. Weber immediately started CPR with the assistance of Dibiasi.  A Port Washington Fire Department ambulance responded and the aided was transported to St. Francis Hospital.  The quick actions of the officers in recognizing a true emergency, performing CPR /Rescue breathing contributed to the aided arriving at the hospital emergency room with their breathing and circulation restored.

Lifesaving Award – Officer William Zwerlein
On January 15, 2013, officer Zwerlein was assigned responded to a call of a pregnant woman with stomach pain. Upon Officer Zwerlein’s arrival, the mother was found to be in labor. The baby began exiting the birth canal prior to the arrival of the ambulance crew. The baby girl which was born premature at 26 weeks was turning purple and in need of immediate medical attention. Zwerlein helped to stabilize the baby and assisted the ambulance crew in transporting the baby to North Shore University Hospital. Zwerlein rendered medical aid to the baby and mother, helping to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. The officer’s quick actions sustained the life of the premature born baby.


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