New Rochelle Police Memorial and Award Ceremony – May 22, 2026
New Rochelle Police Memorial and Award Ceremony – May 22, 2026
On May 22, 2026, the New Rochelle Police Department held its annual Police Memorial and Award Ceremony at the Green Street Club. The event honored fallen officers, recognized outstanding service, and presented awards to officers and civilians. The ceremony included an honor roll call of officers who died in the line of duty, remarks from city officials and the district attorney, and the presentation of multiple awards. Note: The transcript references the year 2025 throughout all award descriptions, but the meeting date is specified as 2026.
Memorial Service
- Honor Roll Call: Led by Police Commissioner Neil K. Reynolds and Rabbi Evan Hoffman. Fallen officers from 1903 to 2018 were remembered, including Patrolman Maurice Hearn (1903), Lieutenant Thomas J. Payne (1929), Detective Mark S. Gaddo (2018), and Police Officer Kathleen O'Connor Funagiello (2018). Both Gaddo and Funagiello died from 9/11-related illnesses after responding to Ground Zero.
- Retired members who passed away since the last ceremony were also recognized: Detective Carl Downs, Detective Paul Eney, and Detective Betsy McKenna.
Remarks by Dignitaries
- Mayor Yudiro Ramos Herbert: Expressed sincere thanks and appreciation for the police department’s daily work and the families’ sacrifices.
- City Manager Wilfredo Melendez: Emphasized that law enforcement is a calling demanding courage, compassion, and professionalism; thanked officers and their families.
- Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace: Noted that 93 Westchester County police officers have died in service since 1792. Highlighted the first torture‑murder prosecution in the county, crediting Detective John Ladaris and Detective Lieutenant Brian Fagan for their work. Also congratulated two senior investigators from her office receiving awards.
- Police Commissioner Neil K. Reynolds: Discussed a Police Memorial Week bike ride that raised over $12,000; challenged officers to give 100% on and off duty; praised the department’s everyday acts of service.
Award Presentations
- Police Memorial Essay Award (5th grade contest): 28 submissions. Winners: Alexia Romero (Ward Elementary, first place), Ella Murphy (Trinity Elementary, second), Ella Rosamondo (Ward Elementary, third). Alexia read her essay describing a police officer who helped her brother during a seizure.
- Arthur Luce Klein Award (sponsored by New Rochelle Rotary Club): Detective Melissa Denish—16‑year veteran, LGBTQIA liaison, social media coordinator, raised funds for childhood cancer research and cerebral palsy awareness.
- Empress Ambulance Lifesaver of the Year: Lieutenant Lawrence Bornholes, Police Officer Tori Faber, and Police Officer Kenneth McLean. On September 29, 2025, they responded to a man cutting himself; applied tourniquets and pressure to neck wound, saving his life.
- Perfect Attendance Awards (5‑year): Detective Vincent Marco, Community Service Officer Latoya White.
- Department Commendation Awards:
- Lieutenant Edward Hayes – off‑duty intervention to prevent a train accident and DWI arrest.
- Sergeant Stephen Corriel – rescue of a man clinging to rocks at Davenport Park in freezing December.
- Police Officer Louis Del Peso – apprehension of a suspect who struck a Yonkers officer with a vehicle.
- Police Officer Alicia Giasante – investigation leading to sex offense charges against a minor.
- Class C Citations: Multiple officers recognized for investigations including ghost gun manufacture, narcotics sales, home invasion robbery, identity theft, and a homicide. Notable: Detective Sergeant Dwayne Jones, Detective Nicholas Cazzola, Detective Maria Vasquez, Police Officer Armani Lantigua, among others.
- Unit Citations (4 total):
- Investigation and arrest of a narcotics dealer recovering 99 grams of cocaine and two firearms.
- Investigation leading to A‑level drug offense charges.
- Investigation recovering a large quantity of cocaine and $149,000 in drug proceeds.
- Investigation and quick apprehension of suspects in a daylight homicide at Heritage Homes.
- Civilian of the Year: Dr. Connie Troub – provided life‑saving medical aid on September 29, 2025, before officers arrived; the victim made a full recovery.
- Community Engagement and Outreach Award: Sergeant Paul DeRasmo – organized backpack giveaway, Thanksgiving turkey drive, and defensive tactics training with local gyms.
- Civilian Employee of the Year: Community Service Officer Junique Martin – handled 7,208 calls in 2025, 2,011 resulting in calls for service; certified instructor and training officer.
- Chamber of Commerce Investigator of the Year: Detective John Buffamonte – lead investigator in a homicide (multiple suspects charged), an armed robbery, and an undercover operation protecting a 16‑year‑old from exploitation.
- Police Officer of the Year: Police Officer Tory Faber – multiple arrests for weapons, narcotics, and domestic violence; applied tourniquet in life‑saving incident; certified field training officer and SWAT operator.
- Police Commissioner’s Awards: Detective Marissa Bird and Detective Michael Nader.
Closing Benediction
- Reverend Denise Smart Sears delivered a benediction, praying that citizens thank officers daily.
- Dana Angel from the records unit sang "America the Beautiful."
- The ceremony concluded with a buffet; thanks were given to the Green Tree Club staff, Lieutenant Hayes, and Secretary Barbara Cabrera.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Captain Collins Coy, and I welcome you to the Green Street Club for the 2025 Police Memorial and Award Ceremony. Please rise as the pipes and drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester County, led by Drum Major Peter Farrell and Pipe Major Alfred Bes, the Neurochell Police Department's Honor Guard, Lieutenant Edward Hayes, and Detective Lieutenant Robert Wensler escort in our police honorees. Please remain, please remain standing for the national anthem and invocation. Detective Lieutenant Robert Wensler will perform the national anthem. What so proudly we hailed at the Twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, or the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming. And the Rockets Red Glaiver, the bombs bursting air, gave proof through the nights that our flag was still there. And the home of the Lieutenant Wensler. That was great. You know, I was hoping for their Chris Stable diversion, and that was that was pretty close. That was good. I like to introduce Rabbi Evan Hoffman who will deliver our invocation. We're assembled today to celebrate and salute and give honor to the officers of the Neurochell Police Department. Our safety, our physical safety, is in the hands of divine providence, as assisted down here on earth by the local law enforcement who patrol the streets and make sure to the best of their ability that we stay safe. Every Sabbath morning, every Saturday morning, in my synagogue, Congregation Anshesholem, 50 North Avenue, the oldest synagogue in New Rochelle, one of the oldest houses of worship in New Rochelle, I interrupt the reading of the Bible to offer a prayer for our Republic, for the soldiers of the United States Armed Forces, and for the police of the New Rochelle Police Department. And I say to God, as I lift my hands heavenward and my heart heavenward. May God give them success in their missions and return home safely to their families. And to the families who were here today, celebrating a husband or a wife, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter, we know it's not easy for you. Wondering at the end of the shift, will my loved one come home safely? And we pray that they always do. In an increasingly chaotic world, we ask God that our city of New Rochelle continue to be an oasis of relative tranquility, in which we can live as brothers and sisters, and which no one should ever have reason to be afraid. And let us say Amen. The police commissioner Neil K. Reynolds and I will conduct Honor Roll Call. Detective Lieutenant Fagan, please bring the platoon to attention for honor roll call. Maurice Hearn was appointed Special Patrolman by Neurochell on May 12, 1899. On June 20th, 1903, at about a 115 a.m., Patrolman A. Hearn observed an individual stumbling over the railroad tracks. After approaching the unidentified man, a struggle ensued in which Patrolman Hearn was shot several times. He died as a result of his wounds. Lieutenant Thomas J. Payne, Acton. Lieutenant Pay was appointed Special Patrolman by Neurochell on September 12, 1910. On June 1st, 1929, Lieutenant Payne was hit by a truck while investigating an auto accident and died as a result of his injuries on September 23rd, 1929. Patrolman Daniel F. Murphy, Apton. Patrolman Murphy was appointed to the department on May 12th, 1924. He died on April 25th, 1930, five days after he was severely injured while on motorcycle patrol on Easter Sunday. Patrolman Timothy Mahoney. Patrolman Mahoney was appointed to the department on April 3rd, 1922. He died on May 5th, 1930, shortly after his patrol wagon overturned during a collision. Detective William E. Mancusi. Detective Mancusi was appointed to the department on October 12th, 1922. He died on July 20th, 1934, when the unmarked car he was a passenger in was involved in an accident in Stanford, Connecticut. Detective Mancusi was on his way back from Milford at 4 a.m. where he had been questioning a suspect in connection with recent jewelry thefts. Patrolman Alan B. McLeod, Afton. Police Officer McLeod was appointed to the department on October 5th, 1970.
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