Empire Casino Peace Officer Honored For Helping Save Teen's Life

YONKERS, NY — A highly trained Empire City Casino Peace Officer put his skills to use shortly after clocking out to head home for the day, when he came upon an alarming scene.

Now, the head of the hospitality and entertainment giant honored the heroic employee in person, as the company points to its contributions to the local economy in its pursuit of a commercial gaming license for Empire City.

MGM Resorts International CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle visited Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts this week. Hornbuckle attended a very special employee recognition event as he engaged with many of Empire City’s more than 800 employees, as well as visitors at the popular Westchester casino.

Hornbuckle was on hand when Empire City Peace Officer Anthony Gendelmen was honored for his actions that are being credited with saving a life.

Just a few weeks ago, Gendelmen was driving home from his Empire City shift when he saw a local teenager struck by a speeding vehicle on Yonkers Avenue and Dunwoodie Street. Gendelmen immediately pulled over to deliver first aid and remained with the victim until first responders arrived.

The teenager couldn't have found a better champion to happen by the desperate scene.

Empire City Peace Officers are recognized law enforcement personnel who receive training to ensure a safe environment for guests and employees, including extensive first aid training. Peace Officers, unique to New York gaming facilities with horse racing tracks, are authorized to make arrests for any crimes committed on property and work closely with the Yonkers Police Department and the local District Attorney. They are also trained to administer Narcan and receive extensive de-escalation training.

"Officer Anthony Gendelmen’s heroic actions exemplify the impact each of our team members has not just within in our operations, but among our neighbors as well," Hornbuckle said. "We’re committed to serving and enhancing every community where we operate, reinforcing our role as a leader and partner throughout Westchester County and beyond."

Hornbuckle said he visits each regional property in the MGM Resorts portfolio regularly to meet with leadership and interact with the thousands of employees serving its millions of guests each year. Empire City is a critical component of the MGM Resorts ecosystem, boasting the largest casino floor in the company's domestic portfolio of more than 20 gaming destinations. Empire City is also home to the historic Yonkers Raceway, a world-famous horse racing harness track that MGM Resorts has invested more than $700,000 in since acquiring the property five years ago.

MGM Resorts said its commitment to philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and volunteerism starts at the top with Hornbuckle and trickles down across the company’s properties.

The company has set ambitious 2025 goals as part of its Social Impact and Sustainability mission, "Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity & Protecting the Plant," including surpassing one million employee volunteer hours. The company is also focused on its philanthropic pillars of food insecurity, public education, and workforce development, supporting many local community organizations that deliver key services to New Yorkers.

Hornbuckle is personally passionate about the future of the tourism industry, currently serving as Chair of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which advises the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on policy, regulation, programs, and issues that impact travel throughout in the United States.