GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NEW YORK STATE'S POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NEW YORK STATE'S POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS   

Three Members of the Syracuse Police Department Honored for Courage and Bravery   

Officers Responding to Call Faced Gunfire Before Taking Suspect into Custody

  

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Monday announced that three members of the Syracuse Police Department are the recipients of the New York State Police Officer of the Year Award. Lieutenant James Milana, Officer Victoria Losurdo and Officer Travis Rheinheimer were honored for their apprehension of a gunman who shot at Lieutenant Milana - the bullet struck his vehicle's windshield near his head - and continued firing at him and the other officers after they responded to a call of an individual with a gun on February 4, 2018.   

"This incident illustrates the danger that illegal firearms pose for police officers and the community and the unpredictability that officers face whenever they respond to a call for service," Governor Cuomo said. "These three officers exemplify what it means to serve and protect. As we recognize them today, we also honor the thousands of police officers whose work every single day contributes to New York's standing as the safest large state in the nation."   

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul presented the officers with the award on the Governor's behalf during a ceremony at Syracuse Police Headquarters this morning. Joining her to present the award were Michael C. Green, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services and Chairman of the Police Officer of the Year Selection Committee, and Syracuse Police Chief Kenton T. Buckner.  Lieutenant Milana and Officers Losurdo and Rheinheimer join Syracuse Police Officer Kelsey Francemone as the agency's only recipients of the award, which was first presented 35 years ago. Officer Francemone was the first woman to be honored as the sole recipient of the honor when she received the 2016 Police Officer of the Year Award.  

"When a gunman was recklessly firing on a city street, these officers sprang into action to apprehend the suspect and save lives," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, who made Monday's announcement. "We are fortunate to have dedicated officers like these brave individuals who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and keep us safe. We owe them, and all first responders, a huge debt of gratitude for their willingness to put service over self."   

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Deputy Commissioner Green said, "Key to our mission at DCJS is the support we provide law enforcement agencies. Through this work, we see first-hand the dedication and professionalism of the men and women who have chosen to make policing their career. We also see the sacrifice these officers - and their families - make for the sake of keeping us all safe. It is an honor to serve as chair of the Selection Committee and to recognize these officers for their valor."    

City of Syracuse Police Chief Kenton T. Buckner said, "The Syracuse Police Department is blessed to have a workforce of professional men and women committed to protecting the citizens of our great city. On February 4, 2018, Sgt. - now Lt. - Milana, Officer Losurdo and Officer Rheinheimer displayed a tremendous amount of bravery and professionalism while dealing with a man armed with a gun. Despite being fired upon several times, they were able to take the suspect into custody. It gives me great pleasure to illuminate their actions with the entire state."   

In nominating the three officers for the 2018 award, Syracuse Police provided the following account of the events that unfolded on February 4, 2018:   

Officer Losurdo was the first to respond to a call for a man with a gun on South Salina Street near West Calthrop Avenue. She saw an individual who looked as if he was holding something in his waistband and ordered him to stop and show his hands. He refused. While Officer Losurdo engaged with the individual, Lieutenant Milana, who was the Third Platoon sergeant at the time, arrived. He stopped his patrol vehicle a few yards north of where the individual was standing, idling it between the man and Officer Losurdo.    

Before Lieutenant Milana got out of the vehicle, the gunman pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband and fired several shots at him. The bullets struck the vehicle's hood and windshield, close to Lieutenant Milana's head. The individual then ran across South Salina Street toward a nearby ramp to I-81, firing over his shoulder at Lieutenant Milana and Officer Losurdo, who returned fire. Officer Travis Rheinheimer arrived on scene to assist his fellow officers. The individual, who was shot at least once, continued to flee, discarding his firearm, leaping over a fence and attempting to hide before other officers took him into custody. The assailant, later identified as Leon Thomas, pleaded guilty to attempted murder earlier this year and is serving a 23-year prison sentence.   

The Police Officer of the Year Award was first presented in 1984 and recognizes a single police officer or team of officers for an exceptional act of valor symbolizing the service of police in New York State. Since the award's inception, the Selection Committee has chosen 120 officers from 19 agencies for the honor. Of those police, 69 have been honored posthumously, including 23 officers from the New York City Police Department and 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department killed during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.