GOVERNOR CUOMO HONORS 40 POLICE OFFICERS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today honored 40 police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to communities across New York State. The officers, from five local and state law enforcement agencies, were recognized at New York State’s annual Police Officers’ Memorial Remembrance Ceremony. The names of the 40 men and women join others chiseled into the black granite memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The memorial includes 1,453 names of officers from 141 police agencies across the state and six federal agencies.

"Each day, law enforcement officers selflessly put their lives on the line to protect the public," Governor Cuomo said. "Today, we honor the enduring legacy of those dedicated police officers who gave their lives to keep our communities safe and join in thanking their families for their bravery and service."

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at the ceremony, which was attended by more than 500 people, including local, state and federal law enforcement professionals; elected officials; and family members of the deceased officers. The solemn service also drew many friends and colleagues of the fallen officers.

"The names added to the Police Officers Memorial are reminders of the courageous commitment made by the men and women of law enforcement on our behalf, each and every day," Lieutenant Governor Hochul said. "Those we have lost and those who continue to serve with such distinction will never be forgotten, nor will the families of the fallen, who have also sacrificed greatly and to whom we are forever grateful."

The following officers’ were recognized at today’s ceremony:

2016 Line of Duty Deaths

• Trooper Timothy P. Pratt of the New York State Police was assisting the driver of a tractor trailer truck that was stopped in the median of a roadway in the Saratoga County town of Wilton. Trooper Pratt was struck as he was returning to his patrol vehicle and later died from the injuries he sustained. (Oct. 26, 2016)
• Sgt. Paul J. Tuozzolo of the New York City Police Department was responding to a gunpoint robbery when he spotted the suspect’s vehicle and began following him. Other officers blocked the vehicle, allowing Sgt. Tuozzolo and fellow officers to tactically approach the driver’s side of the vehicle. The suspect then fired multiple rounds from his vehicle, striking Sergeant Tuozzolo in the head at close range and later killing him. (Nov. 4, 2016)

Ground Zero-related Illness
The names of 38 officers who died from illnesses as a result of time spent doing search and recovery work in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center also were added to the memorial. The names of officers who died of Ground Zero-related illnesses were first added to the memorial in 2008 and now total 144. Sixty men and women who served with the NYPD and Port Authority Police Department died the day of the attack.Police Officer Charles Barzydlo, Port Authority Police Department (July 17, 2016)

• Detective Aslyn A. Beckles, New York City Police Department (Jan.18, 2014)
• Police Officer James A. Betso, New York City Police Department (June 17, 2015)
• Sgt. Gerard T. Beyrodt, New York City Police Department (Oct. 20, 2015)
• Lt. Rebecca A. Buck, New York City Police Department (July 21, 2015)
• Detective Joseph A. Cavitolo, New York City Police Department (Oct. 25, 2013)
• Detective Annetta G. Daniels, New York City Police Department (Nov. 17, 2011)
• Detective Michael K. Davis, New York City Police Department (June 10, 2015)
• Detective Leroy Dixon, New York City Police Department (June 14, 2015)
• Police Officer Otto R. Espinoza, New York City Police Department (Jan. 3, 2015)
• Police Officer Alexander Figueroa, New York City Police Department (July 7, 2015)
• Sgt. Michael J. Galvin, New York City Police Department (Nov. 27, 2015)
• Police Officer Deborah A. Garbutt-Jeff, New York City Police Department (April 3, 2016)
• Police Officer Matthew J. Gay, New York City Police Department (June 25, 2015)
• Detective Charles G. Gittens Jr., New York City Police Department (Nov. 28, 2014)
• Detective Michael E. Glazer, New York City Police Department (May 26, 2016)
• Sgt. Charles R. Gunzelman, New York City Police Department (May 31, 2015)
• Police Officer Demetrias Hopkins, New York City Police Department (May 11, 2015)
• Sgt. Wayne A. Jackson, New York City Police Department (Nov. 13, 2015)
• Police Officer Charles M. Karen, New York City Police Department (Nov. 4, 2015)
• Lt. Luis A. Lopez, New York City Police Department (June 26, 2015)
• Police Officer Anthony Maggiore, Yonkers City Police Department (Nov. 22, 2014)
• Police Officer Peter Martino, Nassau County Police Department (Feb. 5, 2014)
• Police Officer Paul J. McCabe, Nassau County Police Department (Sept. 25, 2015)
• Detective James W. Monahan, New York City Police Department (Oct. 13, 2014)
• Sgt. Edmund P. Murray, New York City Police Department (July 28, 2015)
• Trooper Covel C. Pierce, New York State Police (March 10, 2011)
• Sgt. Louis R. Pioli, New York City Police Department (Oct. 29, 2015)
• Capt. Peter L. Pischera, New York City Police Department (March 24, 2009)
• Assistant Chief Michael V. Quinn, New York City Police Department (June 5, 2016)
• Lt. Robert D. Rice, New York City Police Department (April 12, 2003)
• Detective Ronald A. Richards, New York City Police Department (Oct. 10, 2015)
• Lt. Kenneth W. Rosello, New York City Police Department (May 2, 2016)
• Sgt. Jacqueline C. Schaefer, New York City Police Department (Dec. 2, 2011)
• Lt. Marci Simms, New York City Police Department (Nov. 5, 2015)
• Detective Andrew L. Siroka, New York City Police Department (Jan. 25, 2016)
• Investigator Paul R. Stuewer, New York State Police (Oct. 5, 2016)
• Police Officer Kenneth W. Wolf, New York City Police Department (April 18, 2016)