New Rochelle PD Holds Annual Memorial and Awards Ceremony

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In observance of Police Memorial Week, the New Rochelle Police Department held its annual Memorial and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 15 at the Greentree Country Club. The event honored the memory of those officers who sacrificed their lives in the service to the City as well as department members for their outstanding contributions.

Nearly 100 members of the department were recognized for their heroic accomplishments and extraordinary work in the community with Lifesaving, Commendation and Investigation awards and Unit Citations. Police Officer of the Year was presented to Police Officer Paul D’Erasmo and Systems Engineer Derek Ortiz was named Civilian Employee of the Year.

Mayor Noam Bramson also presented an award to three elementary students for their Police Memorial Essays. First place winner, Lea Cohen from Webster Elementary School read her winning piece. City Manager Charles Strome III presented the Citizen of the Year award to Emilio Betim Jusufaj and Niko Tamburo.

"Medal Day is a day of celebration where the Department recognizes, thanks and awards active members who have done exceptional work over the past year,” said Commissioner Joseph Schaller. “It is also a solemn day where the department remembers and honors those officers of the department who are no longer with us who, in the course of doing their exceptional work, made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives in the performance of their duty. We thank all, those here and those gone before us, for their service."

For the complete list of awards and recipients, go here.

Photo credit: YouTube.