Race Is On In Tuesday's Republican Primary For Suffolk County Sheriff's Seat

Two candidates will face off in Tuesday's Republican primary election for the GOP line on the ballot in the upcoming race for the Suffolk County Sheriff's seat.

It's the first time a new sheriff will be elected in Suffolk County in 12 years; longtime Sheriff Vincent DeMarco announced this year that he wouldn't seek a fourth term.

New York State Sen. Philip Boyle, of Bay Shore, who's received a nod from the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties in the upcoming November race, has been challenged for the GOP line by Larry Zacarese, of Kings Park. Zacarese, assistant chief of Stony Brook University Police, has been endorsed by the Reform Party.

Nominated for the Democratic line is Stuart P. Besen of Northport.

Here, according to their campaign websites, are the candidates' bios:

Philip M. Boyle

"Senator Phil Boyle has been a leading figure in law enforcement related issues for his entire near 30-year career in public service. From his playing an important role during the early 1990s in the expansion of DNA forensic science in the United States to his current leadership in the fight against the heroin and opioid epidemic in New York State, Phil is recognized by law enforcement and government officials statewide as a person to turn to on major criminal justice matters.

"Phil has served for several years as a member of both the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate committees on codes, which have jurisdiction over all penal laws and where he has consistently fought to increase criminal penalties on gang-related and other crimes to better protect our communities. Phil has also provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to Suffolk law enforcement, ensuring that they have state-of-the-art technologies to assist in catching violent criminals while protecting our brave officers.

Phil is an active 20-year volunteer firefighter with the Great River Fire Department and he served as an emergency medical technician for six of those years. For many years he was the only active first responder serving in the entire New York State Legislature.

Phil Boyle’s career has been defined by one word: Leadership. His well-earned reputation has long been that he has the most dedicated, effective staff in the entire state senate. When elected as Suffolk County’s next Sheriff, it would be no different. Phil knows that the key to running a successful Sheriff’s Office is surrounding one’s self with ethical, experienced officers, and listening to their advice before making crucial decisions for our Deputy Sheriff’s and Correction Officers. These officers, and making sure that they return home safely to their families each evening, will always be Phil’s primary focus."

Lawrence Zacarese

"Lawrence Zacarese was born in Suffolk County and has called it his home for more than 40 years. Larry graduated from Sachem High School and began his public service career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician at the age of 17 in the Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department. Realizing his passion for emergency services, Larry attended paramedic school and upon graduation worked in that respective field at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and the Stony Brook University Medical Center for several years before joining the New York City Police Department.

"While in the New York City Police Department, Larry worked as a patrol officer and plain-clothes anti-crime officer for five years until his transfer to the emergency service unit of the special operations division. During his assignment to the emergency service unit he worked as a canine handler and tactical paramedic for nearly 7 years before being promoted to sergeant. Thereafter, he worked as a uniformed patrol supervisor and, in his last assignment as the street narcotics enforcement unit sergeant.

"Larry is currently an assistant chief for a large public research University Police Department. Since 2009 he has overseen patrol operations, parking enforcement, uniformed security operations, the detective division, the Office of Electronic Physical Security and Access Control and in his current role as the Director of the Office of Emergency Management.

"Larry serves on the board of directors for the Long Island InfraGard FBI Public & Private Partnership, the board of advisors for Campus Safety Magazine, and serves as a FEMA Region II Representative for the International Association of Emergency Managers University and College Caucus. In addition, he works as a deputy chief fire instructor at the Suffolk County Fire Academy and an advanced life support paramedic for the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He has been an adjunct lecturer and subject matter expert for the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Stony Brook University School of Health Technology and Management, and Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a public and private sector consultant.

"Larry is a graduate of the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College where he served as a clinic fellow in the disaster relief clinic. He was also selected to serve as an appointee to the Alexander Hamilton Inn of Court, a chapter of the American Inns of Court, whose mission is to foster excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills. Larry is admitted to practice law in New York and is a member of the American Bar, New York Bar, and Suffolk County Bar associations.

Larry also holds a Masters in public administration, inspector general, and a Bachelor of Arts in forensic psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In addition, he holds a graduate certificate in global security and terrorism studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a graduate certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia, and a New York State paramedic certificate from Stony Brook University.

"Larry is a graduate of the 246th session of the FBI National Academy, a prestigious training program offered to less than one percent of all law enforcement executives throughout the world, and a graduate of the FBI mid-Atlantic law enforcement executive development seminar leadership-training program at Princeton University.

Larry resides in Smithtown, with his wife and their children."

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