Valor On Duty: Suffolk Court Officers Honored

Five New York State court officers were honored for acts of valor and 10 for more than three decades of service at Riverhead’s Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building. The ceremony honored officers Lloyd Booth, Michael Keneski, David Knapp, Jonathan Leone and Matthew Pantoja for intervening in confrontations involving combative civilians and police officers.

The honorees, on or off duty, identified themselves as court officers, helping police safely subdue and arrest the individuals involved.

First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George presented the valor certificates, saying they demonstrated the “true meaning of heroism.” He praised their “professionalism, dedication and heroic action.”

Suffolk Chief of Court Security David Santiago said their actions “undoubtedly protected” the police officers, civilians and members of the public involved in the confrontations.

County Executive Edward Romaine emphasized the officers’ importance to Suffolk’s judicial system.

“Without our court officers, we could not have the quality of justice that we have today,” Romaine said.

The ceremony separately recognized 10 officers for serving the Suffolk courts for more than 30 years. Those honored were Officer James Grant, Officer Keith Topper, Major Karen Morro, Captain Michael Mattera, Chief David Santiago, Lieutenant William Sullivan, Lieutenant Richard Hilary, Officer James Vergano, Officer Joseph Giannini and Officer Joseph Ottaviano.

District Administrative Judge Andrew A. Crecca called court officers “the silent heroes of our justice system.” He said they confront unpredictable situations with professionalism while risking their safety to protect others and preserve a stable courthouse environment.

“By ensuring a safe and stable environment, they enable the very delivery of justice,” Crecca said.

Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle and other judges, court administrators, law enforcement representatives, local officials and honorees’ relatives attended Wednesday’s ceremony. The courthouse community and participating families continued the celebration afterward with a luncheon reception inside the courthouse’s attorney lounge.