The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
ONEIDA HONORS FINEST, BRAVEST
24th Annual Charlie Decker Dinner celebrates achievements of OFD, OPD
ONEIDA, N.Y. » It’s a nightmeant to honor the city’s bravest for their commitment and remember what they do is absolutely worth it.
The 24th Annual Charlie Decker Public Safety Dinner gives the public, the Oneida Fire Department and the Oneida Police Department a chance to recognize those amongst them that deserve the praise for their hard work.
Keynote speaker Chief Assistant District Attorney Robert Mascari put the reality of the job in focus.
“What I really want to do is speak fromthe heart,” Mascari said. “And I know what you’re thinking. ‘An attorney has a heart. Who knew?’”
Mascari explained to the crowd that growing up, his fatherwas in federal lawenforcement and worked undercover while his two uncles were Syracuse firefighters.
“My dad would always say ‘you don’t want this job’ and I would ask him if he loved his job. And he did. But he said you have to make split second decisions, have to pretend you’re a lawyer and know what the law is, everyone is going to second guess you, they’re going to call you names and no one will appreciate you,” Mascari said. “My uncles on the other hand, were the proudest firefighters you ever saw. And they said you don’t want this job. They said you have crazy stupid hours, you’re going into a place everyone is trying to get out of and your life expectancy, at least back then, is 15 to 20 years less than the public.”
Mascari said officers and fire fighters are put under a tremendous strain as they work tirelessly.
Mascari showed the crowd a picture of Francis Borasky, the 35-year-old father of two who died after being stabbed by Isaac Cantu. Lt. DavidHoffman Jr. was one of the EMTs who responded that night and Mascari said he did everything he could, everything appropriate and accompanied Borasky to theOneida Emergency room to where he died.
“We always need to remember the sacrifice these people make and that the job is absolutely worth it. That is where my dad was wrong, and that
mydadwaswrong, and that is where my uncles were wrong,” Mascari said. “They spoke to it onaperspectiveof the toll it took on them and missed out on what it does for the rest of us.”
Before Fire Chief Kevin Salerno revealed the Oneida City Fire Fighter of the year, he recognized the retired fire fighters amongst the crowd andmade an announcement.
“As most of you know, tonight will bemy last presentation as fire chief. On May 30, I’ll probably close out a 28 year career in public service to my hometown of Oneida,” Salerno said. “This department has been part of my entire life and will never forget. The memories will last a lifetime.”
Salerno said while the fire chief gets credit for many of the department’s advancement, the firefighters should be credited.
“They come to me with ideas. They do the leg work, and I just facilitate things for them,” Salerno said. “These guys should be proud of the things they’ve accomplished over the past few years. The Oneida Fire Department is better trained, prepared and ready to provide service to everyone who calls us in their time of need.”
When it came to choosing a recipient, Salerno said his choice is a great example of drive, dedication and selflessness that helps move the Oneida Fire Department forwardanddeservingof the 2017 Oneida’s Club - Charlie Decker Firefighter of the Year: Dennis Relyea.
“Traditionally, the firefighter of the year is chosen for a specific call on a specific day. But I chose Relyea for this year’s recipient for his dedication, integrity and positive mental attitude he brings with him to work every single day,” Salerno said. “He’s alwaysupbeat, positive andwants to dowhatever he can to make his department and fellow firefighters successful. He loves his job.”
Salerno said Relyea started his career in the Oneida Fire Department in 2009, became a fire inspector in 2012, an assistant training officer in 2013 and a critical care technician in 2015. Relyea is a formerUnitedStates Marine, having served in the Middle East and works as a drill sergeant with the Army Reserve.
“One exceptional quality Relyea has is his desire to pass on knowledge to others. He has a passion to help other fire fighters learn the craft, and he’s eager to see his students reachtheirgoals in the fire service,” Salerno said. “He’s currently a New York State fire instructor helping train today’s up and coming fire fighters. These are just some of the examples of the contributions Relyeahasmade forourdepartment, our city and community above and beyond just being a fire fighter.”
Before revealing the 2017 Oneida’s Club Police Officer of the Year, Police Chief Paul Thompson wanted to take time to give thanks to officers involved in two instances during 2017 that he couldn’t discuss.
“Ididn’t speakof themlast year, mostly because they were still pending in the legal system, and I didn’t want to sayanythingthatmight jeopardize the outcome,” Thompson said.
During the early morn- ing of July 15, 2016, officers from the Oneida Police Department responded to a domestic dispute involving a knife. Awoman left her residence covered in blood with her three children following shortly after also covered in her blood.
“You can imagine the chaos and hysterics. The woman, who was stabbed multiple times, thought her life was going to end. Responding officers were also gravely concerned that could happen as well,” Thompson said. “Knowing that radio transmissions are recorded, one officer keyed his radio while the victim was speaking so her words were recorded. The responding officers for this situation acted with calm, with courage, professionalism and empathy towards the victim and her children.”
For their meritorious service, Thompson recognized Sergeant Keith Hudson, Police Officer Christopher Bailey, PoliceOfficer JosephMcCormick and Police Officer Matthew Mosack.
Thompson also recognized Sergeant Dan DeWolf, PoliceOfficer JosephMcCormick and Police Officer Peter Cania, each of whom responded on the evening of Sept. 18, 2016 and the altercation that cost Borasky his life.
“Officers were dispatched to whatwas reported to be a neighborhood dispute. What they found was a chaotic situation with several people on the street and sidewalks. Their attention to a man lying down on the sidewalk who had multiple stab wounds,” Thompson said. “Under very difficult circumstances, officers did their best to get immediate medical attention for the victim while also trying to determine what had happened by locating and interviewingwitnesses, while trying to identify suspects. Responding officers acted with calm, courage, professionalism and deserve to be recognized.”
After recognizing those acts of service, Thompson directed his attention to the main event: 2017 Oneida’s Club Police Officer of the Year Matthew Gacek.
“[Gacek] has been part of the department since 2006. He’s always been a leader, in terms of traffic and penal law enforcement and active member of our bike patrol. Lately, this officer has been engaging in school and community presentations and I frequently receive positive feedback with his interactions in the community,” Thompson said. “And this officer was in the inaugural class of the crisis intervention team and remains a member.”
The Madison County Crisis Intervention teamcollaborates with local agencies to help people in need of assistance, including people with thoughts of suicide.
Thomson read a letter from Tisha Cook, the Director of the Madison County Mental Health Department.
“‘Chief Thompson, I amso happy that you are award- ing Police Officer Matthew Gacek for Officer of the Year. I’ve known himfor two years sincehefirst became trained as a crisis intervention team officer. As you know, this training enables officer to work effectively with those that suffer from mental illnesses, substance abuse or developmental disabilities,’” Thompson read.
Cook said in her letter that Gacek has assisted many individuals suffering with mental illness since he has been trained, de-escalated several situations and diverted individuals fromneed to go to the hospital.
The community feedback Cook received told her that Gacek has been both helpful and respectful to those in a crisis situation.
Oneidas Club President Bruce Burke spoke of Charlie Decker, themanwho started the Public SafetyDinner and awards.
Burke said that Decker would be horrified to learn today that the awards are named after him, because he was such a humble man.
“If Charlie was around, we never would have gotten away with changing the name. He was very humble and I certainlydomisshim,” Burke said. “Charlie had a big heart for the town he called home.”