Cortlandt State Trooper Brody Honored at NYSP Award Dinner

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ZONE THREE – TROOPER OF THE YEAR

TROOPER JONATHAN P. BRODY- SP CORTLANDT

Trooper JONATHAN P. BRODY is a dedicated and motivated Trooper and this permeates through all aspects of his performance. Trooper BRODY has made 30 DWI arrests, 41 Penal Law arrests and issued 240 tickets this year. In addition, Trooper BRODY has received the “Top Cop” award from the Hudson Valley STOP DWI Program and was recently nominated for the NYS DWI Crackdown and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award. Trooper BRODY is an excellent example of how relentless DWI enforcement can lead to other arrests. He is a valuable asset to the station and is always willing to help his supervisors as well as the other members of the station. 

ZONE ONE – TROOPER OF THE YEAR

TROOPER ANDREW J. BEHRENS – SP LIVINGSTON

Trooper ANDREW J. BEHRENS is a self motivated, conscientious and hard-working Trooper who always gives his best effort regardless of the type of incident to which he is assigned. Trooper BEHRENS is among station leaders in Penal Law arrests and DWI enforcement. This year he leads SP Livingston in calls for service, despite working primarily “2” shifts. Trooper BEHRENS is well respected by his peers and supervisors and is the epitome of a New York State Trooper supported by his behavior on and off duty. Trooper BEHRENS also served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves for nine years, being activated and deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operating Enduring Freedom. 

ZONE TWO – TROOPER OF THE YEAR

TROOPER EDWARD KOSILLA – SP WAPPINGER

Trooper EDWARD KOSILLA is a dedicated Trooper with almost 13 years of experience who every day exemplifies the meaning of the phrase “quiet professional.” In 2010 Trooper KOSILLA led SP Wappinger with 445 calls for service. He is amongst the station leaders in all areas of activity. Trooper KOSILLA thoroughly investigates and documents complaints he is assigned, taking all appropriate investigative action in a professional manner. He is assigned to an LPR (license plate reader) car as well as a Patrol Rifle. He sets an example for others to follow and has done so throughout his career. Trooper KOSILLA is respected by his peers and assists them whenever asked. 

INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR

INVESTIGATOR SHANNON M. ALPERT – K FIU

Investigator SHANNON M. ALPERT is a vital member of the Troop K FIU/CRU (Forensic Investigation Unit/Collision Reconstruction Unit) program and an asset to local police departments that request his assistance with fatal accident investigations. He is always willing to help and is eager to respond to investigate a collision no matter the time or the location. Investigator ALPERT has handled several complicated and high profile cases during the past year including the March 12, 2011 bus collision that resulted in the death of 15 people which is the largest, most intensive accident investigation in the history of the NYSP. Investigator ALPERT brings the same level of expertise and professionalism to all assignments whether they are low profile or high stakes. Whether it is politely dealing with the insurance companies and law firms looking to purchase photographs or attending the autopsy of a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty, Investigator ALPERT completes each and every assignment he is given and does so with honor and pride. 

SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

ZONE SERGEANT ARMIL DEGUZMAN – ZONE TWO HQ

Zone Sergeant ARMIL DEGUZMAN is an excellent Zone supervisor who handles any assignment given him with professional diligence. As Zone Sergeant for the past seven years, he is responsible for the direct supervision of the various stations, sergeants and Troopers within Zone Two. He is cognizant of all matters of relevance within the Zone during his tour and makes proper and timely notifications when necessary. During the past year Zone Sergeant DEGUZMAN handled an inordinate amount of administrative reports, some of which involved members not assigned to Zone Two. He was assigned these extensive, potentially sensitive investigations because of his investigative abilities and exceptional report-writing skills. Zone Sergeant DEGUZMAN is an outstanding supervisor and a key component to the Zone Two and Troop K operations. His diligence and commitment to the Mission of the NYSP is without parallel on the job. 

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD

MR. ATEN L. ROSA – GENERAL MECHANIC - TROOP K HQ

Mr. ATEN L. ROSA was first hired as SP Stormville’s Station Cleaner in 1995 and then as the Troop K Water Treatment Operator shortly thereafter. In 2001 he took over as the General Mechanic for Troop K HQ. At that time Mr. ROSA inherited a building already 30 years old and in need of constant upkeep. While often working with a limited budget, ATEN has drawn upon his considerable talents as a machinist, plumber, electrician, carpenter and all-around-tinkerer to keep Headquarters operational for the past 10 years. His job requires knowledge, ingenuity and understanding of everything from engineering to commercial air conditioning. During a record heat wave in 2009, the Communications Section nearly lost all of its equipment. ATEN fashioned a complicated and effective air conditioning system that puzzled even seasoned contractors. When Troop K’s huge Detroit Diesel Generator quit during an ice storm, ATEN kept it going through most of the day using the tip of a pencil to engage the throttle. ATEN is friendly, enjoys his work and is definitely our version of “MacGyver”. 

FORMER TROOPERS ASSOCIATION – COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

TROOPER NORVILLE N. YEARWOOD – SP HAWTHORNE

Trooper NORVILLE N. YEARWOOD is the founder of the Royal Basketball Academy in Jamaica, Queens. This program empowers inner-city youth through basketball and academics. Children must maintain high academic standards to participate in the program. Trooper YEARWOOD has received a letter of support from Assemblyman Scarborough for his contributions. And Congressman Gregory Meeks has described the program as a “positive force in the community”. Trooper YEARWOOD resides in New Windsor.

RETIREES

Captain WILLIAM BAKER
Captain William Baker joined the Division of State Police on September 24, 1979 as a U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Veteran. He served as a Trooper in both Troops D and K before being promoted to the rank of Sergeant and being transferred to Troop L. While serving as a non-commissioned officer on Long Island, Captain BAKER was promoted to Station Commander and then Zone Sergeant before returning to Troop K. On August 15, 1991 Captain BAKER was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and again was transferred out of Troop K. He worked at Inspection until he returned to Troop K in 1992 as the Uniform Zone Commander in Hawthorne. In 1995 Captain BAKER was reassigned to the BCI and transferred to Troop NYC. While in New York City Captain BAKER helped establish and supervised the State Police operation at the Jacob Javits Center. In May of 2000 he returned to Troop K as a BCI Lieutenant where he served until December 15 2007 when he was promoted to Captain and returned to Troop NYC. Captain BAKER eventually returned to Troop K where he retired on December 30, 2010. During his career Captain BAKER received a Superintendent’s Commendation Award, eight Superintendent’s Letters of Commendation and 35 Troop Commanders Letters of Commendation. 

Senior Investigator ROBERT C. BENNETT
Senior Investigator Robert C. Bennett joined the Division of State Police on March 20, 1989. He was initially assigned to SP Kingston in Troop F for his Field Training. He was later assigned to SP Highland and the Gardiner Satellite Office also in Troop F. S/I BENNETT quickly distinguished himself as a dedicated Trooper and received 12 Troop Commander’s Letters of Commendation for his enforcement of the DWI laws. On November 2, 1995 he received his appointment to the BCI and was assigned to SP Peekskill in Troop K.   S/I BENNETT quickly adjusted into the role of Investigator and was recognized by the BCI Captain several times for his significant case load and exceptional arrest rate. On January 8, 2004 he was reclassified to the rank of Senior Investigator and assigned to SP Hawthorne. While assigned to the BCI squad at Hawthorne, S/I Bennett recently supervised the BCI’s participation in the July 26, 2009 wrong- way Taconic Parkway octuple fatal accident, the October 2010 police involved shooting of a Pace University student and the March 2011 I-95 bus crash in which 15 persons were killed. During his career, BOBBY received 24 Letters of Commendation, the Extinguished Pistol Expert Award for obtaining a perfect pistol range qualifying score and numerous letters of appreciation from the public and other area law enforcement agencies. 

Trooper SCOTT M. CONLEE
Trooper SCOTT M. CONLEE joined the Division of State Police on October 2, 1989 and was assigned to Troop K, SP Claverack. In 1996 Trooper CONLEE was assigned to the Interstate Patrol out of SP Claverack which later became SP Livingston, where he remained until his retirement on January 19, 2011.  Trooper CONLEE was often requested by community groups to teach and speak at hunter safety courses. He received many accolades for his expertise in this field and was a fine representative of the Division and a community relations asset during these events. SCOTT maintains a residence in Claverack and operates a hunting guide service that is licensed in South Africa.

Technical Sergeant JOHNNY E. DAVIS
Technical Sergeant JOHNNY E. DAVIS joined the Division of State Police on September 21, 1987. He started his career as a Trooper in Troop K. He was assigned to SP Claverack and SP Somers before transferring to SP Hawthorne on November 28, 1988, where he stayed for the remainder of his career. During his time as a road Trooper, JOHNNY was an Academy counselor and a Field Training Officer. He also became the First Vice President of the Guardians Association of the New York State Troopers. JOHNNY was appointed to the position of Technical Sergeant on July 1, 2004 where he served until his retirement on January 28, 2011. 

Trooper JEFFREY L. GALM

Trooper JEFFREY L. GALM joined the Division of State Police on October 12, 1992 and was assigned to Troop K.   He had previous law enforcement experience with the New York State Park Police and the Town of Pine Plains Police Department. Trooper GALM was initially assigned to SP Claverack and then to SP Rhinebeck. On September 8, 1997 he was assigned to basic K9 Handler school, where he was assigned his first K9 partner, “Cotter”.   Upon graduation from K9 school, Trooper GALM and “Cotter” were assigned to SP Poughkeepsie. After many years on patrol together, Cotter retired in 2005, and Trooper GALM began patrol that same year with his second K9 partner “Jack”.   Trooper GALM was selected as the Troop K, Zone 2 Trooper of the Year on October 7, 1999.   In October 2001, he received the Former Troopers Award for Community Service. In 2005, he was awarded the William McDonough Superintendent’s Award for Community Service. During his career, he received 12 Troop Commander’s Letters of Commendation, a Superintendent’s Letter of Commendation, and innumerable complimentary letters.   Trooper GALM was the Troop K point of contact and organizer for many charitable organizations, especially the Special Olympics. 

Zone Sergeant MARK L. GITTENS
Zone Sergeant MARK L. GITTENS joined the Division of State Police on September 30, 1985. He was initially assigned to Troop F for his field training and then transferred to SP Tupper Lake in Troop B in April of 1988. After a seven-month stay, he transferred back to Troop F and was assigned to SP Ellenville. MARK was promoted to Sergeant in June of 1992 and to Station Commander of SP Fishkill in November 1993. He became Station commander of SP Peekskill in April 1995 and of SP Hawthorne in January 2000. MARK was promoted to Zone Sergeant in January 2005. During his career, Zone Sergeant GITTENS received eight Troop Commander’s Commendations and numerous complimentary letters. He retired from Division service on March 30, 2011.

Secretary I PAULA A. GRADY

Ms. PAULA A. GRADY entered Division service on July 6, 2000 as a part-time Calculations Clerk in the Principal Clerk’s office at Troop K Headquarters. On October 1, 2001 Ms. GRADY was appointed full-time to the position of Calculations Clerk. In this position she not only worked in the Principal Clerk’s office but assisted the AMI section, which was short-staffed due to the retirement of the their clerk. On December 27, 2007, Ms GRADY was appointed to the position of Secretary 1, and assigned to the Administrative Captain’s office at Troop K Headquarters. In this assignment, she showed her adaptability to work well with others due to the number of Administrative Captains who she worked with during this time. Ms. GRADY retired from Division service on September 29, 2011.

Communications Specialist MARGARET A. GUTIERREZ
Communications Specialist MARGARET A. GUTIERREZ entered employment with New York State in 1987, working in TSED Data Entry. On December 11, 1997 she was appointed to the position of Communications Specialist stationed at Troop K Poughkeepsie. MARGE remained at Troop K Headquarters throughout her career, earning three Troop Commander’s Commendations and numerous accolades relating to job performance. 

Senior Investigator THOMAS L. MARTIN
Senior Investigator Thomas L. MARTIN joined the Division of State Police on September 19, 1988. He was assigned to SP Brewster upon completion of the NYSP Academy and spent his entire State Police career in Troop K. S/I MARTIN distinguished himself almost immediately receiving 28 Troop Commander’s Letters of Commendation both for his enforcement of the DWI laws and for his investigative abilities in solving crimes and making arrests prior to his assignment in the Identification Section in October of 1992. S/I MARTIN first showed an interest in forensics as a Zone ID Technician, but once he had been assigned to the ID Section he began to increase his knowledge and skill through extensive training. Before long S/I MARTIN became a highly sought after speaker himself. He was appointed to the BCI on October 20, 1994 and then reclassified a Senior Investigator on July 5, 1996. S/I MARTIN became highly respected in the forensic community not only for his work at crime scenes in the field but also for his talents in the courtroom. In September of 2000, S/I MARTIN was named the Troop K Investigator of the Year. S/I MARTIN completed his State Police Career on October 28, 2010 having earned a total of 47 Troop Commander’s letters of Commendation, one Superintendent’s Letter of Commendation, a Superintendent’s Commendation Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Westchester County Detective’s Association. S/I MARTIN’s numerous letters of appreciation from District Attorneys, Law Enforcement Agencies and victims’ families would more easily be weighed than counted. He plans to continue teaching and to work the lecture circuit.

Technical Sergeant EDWARD M. MYERS
Technical Sergeant EDWARD M. MYERS joined the Division of State Police on September 19, 1988. After completing the Academy, he spent time first in Troop K at SP Somers and Brewster and then in Troop T working out of SP Newburgh, New Hampton and Tarrytown. During his time as a road Trooper, he became an instructor in both Radar and EVOC. After working in Troop T, Technical Sergeant MYERS accepted an assignment helping with the formation of the HELP Truck Program. He was there during the formative years and helped the program succeed to the respected level that it holds today. Technical Sergeant MYERS received the Superintendent’s Commendation Award for actions taken off duty during which he climbed to the top of the Tappan Zee Bridge and talked down a suicidal man. On July 1, 2004 he was appointed to the position of Technical Sergeant at the Hudson Valley Transportation Management Center and served there until his retirement on May 20, 2011. 

Investigator JAMES E. PITTMAN

Investigator JAMES E. PITTMAN joined the Division of N.Y. State Police on April 4, 1983 and was assigned to Troop K where he would remain for the duration of his 27 years of service. While a Trooper assigned to SP Fishkill, Investigator PITTMAN quickly gained a reputation as an excellent police officer and was selected to assist the BCI in an undercover capacity for narcotics investigations. In July of 1989 Investigator PITTMAN was promoted to Investigator and assigned to SP Peekskill. In November of 1989 he was transferred to SP Wappingers where after having distinguished himself while investigating a number of serious crimes, he received an appointment to the Troop K Major Crimes Squad in January 2000. When the Major Crimes Squad later came to be known as the Violent Crimes Investigative Team (VCIT), Investigator PITTMAN was named the Designated Unit Coordinator and he would take over the supervisory responsibilities of the squad in the absence of the assigned Senior Investigator. During his 27 years of service, Investigator PITTMAN received 17 Troop Commander’s Letters of Commendation for his participation in many Homicide and Robbery investigations and arrests. Additionally he received numerous letters of appreciation from other law enforcement agencies and the general public. Investigator PITTMAN retired on March 31, 2011. 

Sergeant GERARD T. SALMON

Sergeant GERARD T. SALMON joined the Division of State Police on October 18, 1982 and was assigned to Troop K, where he would remain for his entire career. He worked as a Trooper in SP Fishkill, SP Lagrange and SP Poughkeepsie. He was promoted to Sergeant on November 10, 1988 and was assigned to SP Somers. He also served as a Sergeant in SP Rhinebeck, SP Brewster and SP Poughkeepsie. During his career, Sergeant Salmon received four Troop Commander’s Letters of Commendation, and numerous complimentary letters.   

Zone Sergeant LEONARD E. WHITE
Zone Sergeant LEONARD E. WHITE joined the Division of State Police on October 19, 1981 and began his career in Troop K. He was appointed to the rank of Sergeant in January of 1988 and assigned to Troop D. Sergeant WHITE RETURNED TO Troop K in April of 1988 and was assigned to SP Hawthorne. He was promoted to Sergeant/Station Commander and assigned to SP Dover Plains. In August of 1991 he was promoted to the rank of Zone Sergeant and returned to SP Hawthorne. In December of 1992 Zone Sergeant WHITE was assigned to Zone One, SP Claverack and ultimately SP Livingston where he finished his career. Zone Sergeant WHITE oversaw the Columbia County Fair Detail for more than 20 years. Zone Sergeant WHITE retired on April 27, 2011 and remains active in coaching the State Champion Rhinebeck Girls Softball Team.

Technical Sergeant TERRENCE D. WILLIAMS
Technical Sergeant TERRENCE D. WILLIAMS joined the Division of State Police on October 3, 1983 and started his career in Troop K at SP Peekskill. He transferred to SP Hawthorne in July 1984. During his time as a road trooper he was assigned to nine State Fair Details, 17 tours of duty at the Akwasasne Indian Reservation, the Woodstock 25^th Anniversary Detail and the World University Games in 1993 in Buffalo. Technical Sergeant WILLIAMS taught Firearms and Radar to recruits at the State Police Academy. He served as an alternate delegate for the NYSP PBA. On July 1, 2004 he was appointed to the position of Technical Sergeant at the Hudson Valley Transportation Management Center and served there until his retirement on April 29, 2011.