SALUTE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

Deputy Jonathan Morticelli earns top honor

Police departments from across the county joined the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at the Rusty Rail on Wednesday as part of the 2017 Stop DWI awards ceremony.

An annual event, members of police units are recognized for their efforts in the fight against drunk and drug impaired driving.

“Today, we honor those who have stepped up DWI enforcement,” said Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley.

The day’s top honors, the Karl Taylor Award, went to Deputy Jonathan Morticelli who led all law enforcement with 21 DWI arrests.

The Karl Taylor Award is given in memory of Karl Taylor, a former Madison County sheriff’s deputy who was committed to keeping communities and roads safe. During his 21year career with the sheriff’s department, he made more than 950 DWI arrests.

Undersheriff John Ball shared a story of one of Morticelli’s recent arrests, commending his work to combat the issue during the course of the year. This past weekend, the Karl Taylor Award recipient responded to a call and upon his arrival on the scene, pulled a woman from a burning vehicle. Alcohol played a factor in the accident however; and after he saved the woman fromthe fiery vehicle, Morticelli arrested her for driving while intoxicated.

Oneida City Police Department’s Sergeant Steven Lowell, a 2013 recipient of the Karl Taylor Award, was also the recip-

ient of special award for his efforts in raising awareness of the dangers of distracted and impaired driving in local schools. In addition to his school outreach, Lowell serves as an breath analysis operator (BAO), RADAR, and LIDAR instructor to area law enforcement,

Hamilton Police Department - Officer Michael Mordus, 3.

Madison County Sheriff’s Office - Deputy Matthew White, 14.

New York State Police - Trooper Joseph LeWorthy, 6; Trooper Kevin Priest, 6.

SUNY Police at Morrisville State - Officer Caitlyn Clark, 1; Officer Nicole Wright, 1.

Oneida Police Department - Officer Ryan Warner, 3.

Cazenovia Police Department - Officer Daniel Slator, 2.

Canastota Police Department - Kenneth Gates, 8.

And though the day belonged to the men and women recognized for their efforts at the Rusty Rail, Riley pointed out that efforts to keep the roads safe from drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a team effort.

“It’s not just the officers today, it’s all of them,” Ri- ley said.

The Madison County Sheriff also tipped the proverbial cap to BRIDGES, the Madison County Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, for the group’s efforts in community outreach and education regarding the dangers of drunk driving.

“They play a very important role in education... I believe they play a major role in reducing fatalities,” Riley said.

PHOTOS BY JOHN BREWER — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Formerly of the Cazenovia Police Department, Daniel Slator shakes Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley’s hand after accepting his award during the annual Stop DWI awards on Wednesday, May 17.

Madison County Deputy Jonathan Morticelli accepts the Karl Taylor Stop DWI award from Madison County District Attorney Bill Gabor and Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley.

Acting Oneida City Police Chief Paul Thompson congratulates Sgt. Steven Lowell at the 2017Stop DWI ceremony at the Rusty Rail in Canastota on Wednesday, May 17.

From left, Oneida City Police Officer Ryan Warner, Acting Chief Paul Thompson, and Sgt. Steven Lowell.

PHOTOS BY JOHN BREWER — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Canastota Police Chief James Zophy congratulates former CPD member Kenneth Gates.