June 21, 2022 - Police Awards Ceremony
At the June 21, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting Chief Piccolino presented the following Police Awards:
PO Victor Bonadonna Meritorious Police Duty
On April 14th 2020 at approximately 9:47 am Sgt. Watson and PO Bonadonna were dispatched to the lake at Hunger Park off the Saw Mill River Parkway northbound for a vehicle that had entered the water. Once officers arrived a female was observed in the driver’s seat of that vehicle. The vehicle was approximately 200 feet from the shoreline. PO Bonadonna entered the water as the vehicle began to sink. Sgt. Watson remained on shore for radio communication, and also as a life line to PO Bonadonna. Westchester County Police arrived shortly after and entered the water as well. PO Bonadonna assisted with freeing the female victim from her vehicle, and made sure there were no other people inside the vehicle. The female was safely brought to shore by officers and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Due to PO Bonadonna’s heroic actions that morning I would like to award him with the Meritorious Police Duty Award.
PO Brian Roemer Exceptional Merit
On September 1st 2021 at approximately 10:00pm Sgt. Tarantino and PO Roemer were dispatched during Hurricane Ida to the area of Cross road for a female trapped in a vehicle. The caller stated that her mother’s vehicle was washed off the roadway by floodwaters and she was unsure of where the vehicle was since it was dragged from its last known location. Further information was given by the caller that the vehicle was flipped upside down by the rushing water and was on its roof with water quickly rising inside the vehicle. PO Roemer rushed to the area where the vehicle was last reported and was able to locate it upside down in a wooded area with raging flood waters. PO Roemer and Fire Department members were able to tie off to heavy machinery and swim through the water to the vehicle. The victim was pulled out underwater through a rear window, and then was safely helped back to land. The victim was transported to the hospital where she made a full recovery. For his courageous and heroic actions, I would like to award Officer Brian Roemer with one of the departments highest honors the Exceptional Merit Award
Lt. Carl Calabrese Exceptional Merit
Sgt. Daniel Watson Exceptional Merit
On December 2nd 2017 at approximately 2:29pm, Lt. Calabrese and Sgt. Watson were dispatched to a domestic disturbance. The caller stated she observed her husband entering their home with a gasoline can, and he was preparing to set fire to the house. Upon entering the home patrol observed gasoline covering the floor. As patrol entered the kitchen area the suspect was observed standing by the kitchen gas stove with one of the burners lit. The suspect attempted to reach for another knob on the stove to ignite a second flame. As the suspect attempted to do so both officers rushed to subdue the suspect before the home went up in flames. While fighting and trying to handcuff the suspect two large knives were observed protruding from his jacket. Officers were finally able to contain the suspect, secure the knives, and shut off the burners on the stove. Further investigation revealed that there was a tenant upstairs at the time that could have been a victim of the arson. Do to the officers fast and heroic actions no one was hurt, and lives may have been saved. As a result of these actions I would like to award Lt. Calabrese and Sgt. Watson with one of our highest awards of Exceptional Merit
Det. Sgt. Daniel Tarantino: Unit Citation
Det. Ronald Perkins: Unit Citation
On February 16th 2019 at approximately 1:27am, following a short term investigation by the Ardsley Police Department Detective Division and members of the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force, a vehicle and traffic stop in the Ardsley Acres Motel led to the arrest of (3) male suspects for criminal possession of a weapon 2nd degree. A loaded .40 caliber handgun was located within the vehicle. Due to the quick actions taken by Det. Sgt. Tarantino and Det. Perkins to assemble a team and have all proper information available for the officers involved, no one was hurt that morning. A loaded handgun was taken off the streets that was readily capable of taking someone’s life. It is due to their fine work on this case that I would like to present Det. Sgt. Tarantino and Det. Perkins with Unit Citation awards.
Det. Ronald Perkins: Unit Citation
On February 16th 2019 at approximately 1:27am, following a short term investigation by the Ardsley Police Department Detective Division and members of the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force, a vehicle and traffic stop in the Ardsley Acres Motel led to the arrest of (3) male suspects for criminal possession of a weapon 2nd degree. A loaded .40 caliber handgun was located within the vehicle. Due to the quick actions taken by Det. Sgt. Tarantino and Det. Perkins to assemble a team and have all proper information available for the officers involved, no one was hurt that morning. A loaded handgun was taken off the streets that was readily capable of taking someone’s life. It is due to their fine work on this case that I would like to present Det. Sgt. Tarantino and Det. Perkins with Unit Citation awards
Sgt. David Piccolino Unit Citation
On November 7th 2020 at 10:45AM, Sgt. Piccolino was dispatched to a jewelry store in the village, for a report of a robbery that had just occurred. Dispatch was notified that an off duty NYPD Officer was in the parking where the robbery occurred and decided to follow the suspect’s getaway vehicle. Information was relayed to Sgt. Piccolino and he was able to catch up and locate the suspect’s vehicle. After a vehicle, pursuit on the Saw Mill River Parkway the suspect’s vehicle was finally stopped and Sgt. Piccolino executed a felony stop and arrest. The license plate on the vehicle was stolen and proceeds from the crime were located in the vehicle. With Sgt. Piccolino’s quick response and concern for everyone’s safety no one was hurt during this incident. The suspect was arrested and the owner of the store was able to have her stolen items returned. For his quick thinking and response, I would like to present Sgt. Piccolino with the Unit Citation
Sgt. David Piccolino: Life Saving Award
PO Jonathan Goldstein: Life Saving Award
On December 14th 2021 at approximately 10:00am, Sgt. Piccolino and PO Goldstein were dispatched to a residence for a report of an unresponsive male. Sgt. Piccolino and PO Goldstein observed an unresponsive male face down on the basement bathroom floor. The male had labored breathing and would not respond to any stimulus. Both officers believed the male was experiencing an overdose, which could have been fatal if untreated. PO Goldstein administered a dose of Narcan and checked his vitals. It was determined the male needed an additional dose which was also administered by PO Goldstein. Approximately 2 minutes after receiving the second dose of Narcan the male subject began to regain consciousness. The male was then transported to the hospital for further treatment. It was later determined that the male had indeed overdosed on heroin. Due to the quick actions by both Sgt. Piccolino and PO Goldstein, the man involved made a full recovery and has a second chance at life. For their quick thinking and judgement, I would like to present Sgt. Piccolino and PO Goldstein with the Life Saving Award.
Sgt. Dave Fisher: Medal of Honor
Det. Sgt. Daniel Tarantino: Unit Citation
Det. Ronald Perkins: Unit Citation
Sgt. Daniel Watson: Honorable Mention
PO Brian Roemer: Honorable Mention
On June 3rd, 2019 at or about 6:00pm Intel was shared with the Village of Ardsley Police, Town of Greenburgh SWAT team, Greenburgh Drug Task Force, and Local FBI office that a murder suspect was staying at the Ardsley Acres Motel. All agencies involved quickly acted together to formulate a plan to take the suspect into custody with the safety of all involved being the priority. All personal were in place and prepared for a worst case scenario due to the fact they knew the suspect would be armed and others might be in the room with him. After the motel was evacuated police tried to make contact with the suspect. The suspect opened the motel door and engaged all officers on the scene with gunfire. A gun battle ensued between officers on the scene and the suspect. One SWAT member was shot during the incident and many other officers came very close to being struck by bullets. By the end of the incident the suspect was pronounced dead and the female in the room was taken into custody with no injuries. The officer who was shot made a full recovery and all other officers on the scene either sustained minor injuries or were not injured at all. Sgt. Fisher was a SWAT sniper who was in the woods ready to engage the suspect if the incident unfolded the way it did. Sgt. Fishers training and expertise as a SWAT sniper undoubtedly saved lives that night. Even as bullets were being shot at Sgt. Fisher, he demonstrated exceptional heroism in the performance of his duties. He placed his life in imminent risk with full knowledge of the risks involved, all above the call of duty. It is my honor to award Sgt. Fisher with the department’s highest award the Medal of Honor.
I would also like to award Det. Sgt. Dan Tarantino and Det. Ron Perkins with a Unit Citation for all of their hard work assisting the agencies involved and providing communications and Intel throughout the entire incident. Sgt. Daniel Watson and PO Brian Roemer will receive the departments Honorable mentions for also assisting in the evacuation of civilians and traffic control as the incident unfolded.
All members involved did an outstanding job in what might have been the Villages most violent incident. We are grateful to have such excellent, professional and selfless officers patrolling this village every day. I am proud of every one of them. Please let’s give them all a round of applause to thank them.
