Suffolk PO 1st In Dept To Be Awarded NY’s Lifesaving Award

CENTEREACH, NY — Suffolk County Police Officer Christopher Zonin, who saved several people from a burning home in December 2019, on Thursday became the first officer in the department’s history to be awarded the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' Lifesaving Award.

Officer Zonin, who is also a volunteer firefighter, “braved thick smoke and heat” to help several people escape their burning home after responding to a 9-1-1 call “for a roommate dispute” in Centereach, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said.

The 9-1-1 caller met Zonin at a nearby 7-Eleven to discuss the situation, and Zonin went to the home and saw thick smoke coming from the rear of the building, then crawled through one apartment, “braving smoke, heat and fire,” to alert three people, “who were able to escape on their own,” Hochul’s office said.

Officer Zonin then entered the front apartment and found one man, who was able to get away from the fire without help, and he dragged an unconscious man to safety through a kitchen that was “nearly engulfed in fire,” her office said.

Zonin was honored, along with Rochester Police Officer Jeffrey Wright, who saved a man who had been attacked with a knife. He was given the Police Officer of the Year Award.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services Police Officer of the Year award committee coordinates the awards and is made up of police executives, union representatives, and officials from statewide associations that represent chiefs and sheriffs. Its members considered nominations submitted by 11 police agencies.

A total of 20 officers were considered before Zonin and Wright were chosen.

Hochul’s announcement was made on the first day of National Police Week, which runs through Sunday.

Hochul said Zonin, along with Wright, “selflessly answered their call to service, putting themselves in harm's way to keep others safe and serve their communities.”

“We owe them both a huge debt of gratitude and will never forget their heroism in the face of life-threatening danger,” she said.

Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron said the people of Suffolk are fortunate to be protected by police officers like Zonin, “who was willing to put his own life on the line to save others.”

“Officer Zonin represents the very best of law enforcement,” he said. “I am proud of his heroic actions and I would like to thank Governor Hochul for recognizing Officer Zonin with this prestigious honor."