Suffolk Police Honor Heroes, Community Leaders

Suffolk County police officers, detectives and civilian employees were honored for heroism, investigative work and community service during two events celebrating members who have made an impact both inside and outside the department.

More than 70 sworn and civilian members of the Suffolk County Police Department were recognized during the department’s 61st annual awards ceremony.

Detectives Christopher Calvacca and Scott Aquilino were named Detectives of the Year for their work as members of the Gilgo Beach Task Force. Their years-long investigative efforts helped build the case against Rex Heuermann, who was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year for the Gilgo Beach murders.

Members of the department’s Identification Section received two Special Service awards.

Photographers Justin Muhsemann and Carolyn Wright-Chierico manually scanned and digitized more than 13,000 images that helped investigators secure a conviction in a child sexual abuse case.

Identification Section personnel were also recognized for helping the department earn ANSI National Accreditation, a laboratory standards distinction achieved by relatively few law enforcement agencies.

A group of Third Precinct officers received the Meritorious Police Service Award for rescuing two people trapped inside a burning Central Islip home.

The recognition continued at Suffolk County Community College during a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration attended by County Executive Edward Romaine and Deputy Police Commissioner Belinda Groneman.

The event honored Latino leaders for their contributions to communities across Suffolk County, including SCPD Detective Yasmin Gallant.

Gallant joined the department in 2017 and has worked to strengthen relationships between Suffolk police and the county’s Hispanic community. She currently serves in the department’s Special Victims Section.

Together, the two events highlighted the wide-ranging work performed by Suffolk County police personnel, from major criminal investigations and lifesaving rescues to forensic work and building stronger relationships with the communities officers serve.