RECOGNIZING BRAVE EFFORTS
Troy Police Department hosts annual awards brunch
TROY >> The Troy Police Department held its 31st annual awards brunch and presented many members of the force with some recognition.
The John J. Givney award is awarded each year to the city’s police officer of the year, this year the honor was given to Officer Charles Castle III.
“No matter who you talk to in the Troy Police Department, Castle is always the go to guy,” said Troy Police Chief John Tedesco. “I’ve never asked that he do something and have him say no to me and he will always perform his job in a manner that has a lasting effect on people. He does his work in a quiet manner everyday but he always works to the best of his ability. For anyone out there looking to be a police officer, I would say look at Castle who is a perfect model of what a Troy Police officer should be like.”
Officer Charles Castle is a graduate of Lansingburgh High School where he excelled as an athlete playing varsity football and wrestling. He then continued his education, graduating from Utica College of Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
On January 15, 2008, Officer Castle joined the Troy Police Department, and he is currently a Field Training Officer, Peer Support Team (TRAUMA) member as well as a member of the Policy Review Committee.
“I am truly honored and greatly appreciate this nomination from the Troy Police Department,” said Castle. “I am still in shock that I am a recipient of this award because anyone sitting here today could have received this award. Just being a police officer in the city that I grew up in and love is not only a privilege but it is also an honor.”
Officer Castle continues to give back and built a strong relationship within his hometown community.
As a Lansingburgh High School Football Coach and former School Resource Officer, Castle has touched the lives of many young members of the community.
All of the police officers from the various local agencies were also joined by many different elected officials during a morning ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn of Troy.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden and Deputy Mayor Monica Kurzejeski were joined along with Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, Troy City Council members, Rensselaer and Troy Court and family judges, Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo and members from New York State Police along with many other officials and members of their families.
Some of the other notable award winners include:
Commendation awards
A commendation may be presented to a member of the Troy Police Department who distinguishes him/herself by a meritorious act of service to the department performed in a manner beyond normal expectations.
- Officer Ryan Davis, Attempted Robbery Officer Involved Shooting.
- Officer David Deon, Murder Investigation.
- Sergeant Steven Barker, Attempted Robbery Officer Involved Shooting.
- Officer Abby DelGiacco, Robbery.
- Officer Jeremy Morris, Criminal Possession of a Weapon Arrest.
- Officers Adrienne Barker and
Charles Castle, Motor Vehicle accident.
- Officers Greg Kehr and Michael Gordon, Robbery Arrest.
- Officers Michael Gordon, Greg Kehr and Kristen Spinnato, Attempted Murder Investigation.
- Officers Carlos Nazario and Jeremy Morris, Narcotics Arrest.
- Officers Charles Rockwell and Jason Wurtz, Medical Emergency.
- Officers Jeremy Morris and Eric Radigan, Domestic Dispute Involving a Handgun.
Unit Citation awards
Unit citations are awarded to a unit of the Troy Police Department to recognize outstanding performance over a sustained period of time or during a single incident.
-Investigative Bureau-Captain Richard Sprague, Det./ Sgts Adam Mason, Patrick Bornt, Timothy Colaneri, Ronald Epstein, Anthony Conyers, Jack McMahon, Michael Parrow, Detectives Christopher McDonald, Colleen Goldston, Charles McDonald, and Mark Millington. Evidence technician unit-officers Anthony Buttofucco, William Fitch, Martin Furcinitit, Mary Magnetto, Donald Marble, Angela Meliski and Ralph Southworth for their work on an attempted robbery, officer involved shooting.
Chief’s Appreciation Awards
The Chief’s Appreciation award is presented by Chief Tedesco to recognize the individual efforts of members of the department who have furthered the department’s efforts to achieve its mission.
-Officers Greg Kehr and Michael Gordon, Domestic Assault Arrest.
- Officer Michael Harrington, Recovered Firearms.
Merit Awards
The Merit award recognizes the efforts of any person or group outside of the Troy Police Department, which assisted in the furtherance of crime control in the city.
-Members from the following agencies for their help in the attempted robbery officer involved shooting that occurred on Aug. 22, 2015. - Rensselaer County Public Safety, Troy Fire Department, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, Green Island Police, New York State Police, Cohoes, North Greenbush, Watervliet, Troy Housing Authority, Albany Police Departments and also members of the community James Farley, Owner of Jimmy’s Pizza, Pastoral Alliance Rev. Paul Carney and Rev. Eric Shaw.
-New York State Police Scuba Diving Unit, Sergeant Thomas Barden- Division Diving Officer and Tpr. Tim Hard- Senior Diver Troop G, Homicide Investigation.
-New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, Senior Investigator Michael Reinoehl and Investigator Eric Leonard, Homicide Investigation.
-FBI Albany, S.S.A. Michael Dwyer and S.A. Dave Fallon, Homicide Investigation.
Purple Heart Award
The Purple Heart is awarded to a member who sustains a significant injury during the performance of their duty.
-Officers Joshua Comitale and Chad Klein, for the Aug. 22 attempted robbery officer involved shooting.
Medal of Honor Award
The Medal of Honor is awarded to a member who intelligently, and in the line of police duty, distinguishes himself/herself by the performance of an act of gallantry and valor at imminent personal hazard to life with knowledge of the risk, above and beyond the call of duty.
-Officers Joshua Comitale and Chad Klein, for the Aug. 22 attempted robbery officer involved shooting.
Nicholas Buonanno can be reached at 290-3941.