American Legion Hosts Law & Order Awards Ceremony

Garden City Police Detective Kevin Madden, Special Police Officer David Bliss and Garden City Firefighter Mike Reale all received Law & Order Awards during ceremonies recently hosted by William Bradford Turner American Legion Post #265.

Law and Order Awards recognize the outstanding contributions of top law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical personnel and units. Frank Tauches, who recently took over as Post commander, thanked Deputy Mayor Theresa Trouvé and Trustee Mark Hyer for attending the ceremony.

In 2017, Detective Madden worked tirelessly to help prosecute a sexual predator for incidents in Garden City and beyond. Cameron McDermott, arrested last year for numerous incidents of public lewdness in Garden City, pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to first-degree rape and sexual abuse charges stemming from unrelated incidents in Manhattan. In April, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Garden City Police first encountered defendant McDermott in January 2017 after he allegedly exposed himself to numerous females in the Village during a three-month period. At the time of his arrest detectives discovered the defendant was in possession of a cell phone and a MacBook Pro containing several pictures and videos of similar incidents. Detective Madden executed a search warrant and discovered videos and photographs on the defendant’s computers and USB drives depicting sexual assaults of two unconscious women inside their Manhattan apartments in 2010 and 2013. “Detective Madden is an excellent example of a great detective,” Commissioner Kenneth Jackson said. “He is well respected in the law enforcement community for his abilities, work effort and accomplishments.”

Officer Bliss has been a member of Garden City’s Special Police force for 36 years. A former captain and training officer, Officer Bliss has accumulated approximately 3,800 hours in service to the community. According to Special Police records, this is the most time on record as a Special Police Officer. “He is very dedicated to serving the community,” Commissioner Jackson said.

Firefighter Reale joined the Garden City Volunteer Fire Department in July 2009. Prior to that, he was a member of the Department's Junior Firefighter Program while in high school where he served for three-and-a-half years. During his senior year, he served as the program's Lieutenant. The Fire Department was Mike's favorite thing to come home to while he was away at college during his first four years in the Department. He served as Assistant Secretary from 2015-2016 and currently serves as Secretary. In addition, he is currently enrolled in the Driver Training Program on the Heavy Rescue Truck and wants to eventually become a Line Officer.

Photo Credit: Village of Garden City