Policeman patrolling Lynbrook, East Rockaway named Officers of the Year

New York Elks Lodge No. 1 in Lynbrook hosted its annual Police Officers of the Year ceremony on May 17, and an officer from the Lynbrook Police Department was honored along with a fourth precinct policeman who patrols East Rockaway.

Sgt. Christopher Skartsiaris from the LPD and Officer Edmund O’Connor from the Nassau County Police Department were among the eight officers who were recognized for their respective precincts. They were awarded plaques for their acts of heroism during arrests they made in 2016.

Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve chronicled the details of an arrest Skartsiaris was involved in on Jan. 27, 2016. After police units were dispatched to Valero gas station in Valley Stream, Skartsiaris responded and noticed a male suspect who he knew was involved in previous robberies. After a foot chase, Skartsiaris apprehended and cuffed the man.

Following the arrest, officers searched the suspect’s house and found the money he stole along with a gun he used to rob the gas station, which turned out to be a BB gun. He was charged with second-degree robbery. “Sgt. Skartsiaris did a tremendous job that day and he is an example of the quality police officers that the Lynbrook Police Department has,” Neve said. “Mayor [Bill] Hendrick recognizes that fact also and appreciates the work of the LPD in keeping the residents safe.” Skartsiaris was also awarded by the Elks Lodge in 2008.

O’Connor was honored for an arrest he made on Sept. 16, 2016. After receiving a 911 call about a suspicious man wearing a bandana and sweatshirt outside of The Barn in East Rockaway, O’Connor patrolled the area. Upon seeing O’Connor, the suspect took off in his car, then parked it and began running through residential backyards and hopping fences.

O’Connor pursued the man, who dropped a handgun that the officer recovered. He then radioed other officers to set up a perimeter around the area and found the suspect in a backyard. He was arrested and another loaded handgun was recovered.

“Officer O’Connor’s smart thinking and keen tactics led to the safe recovery of this gun and the arresting of this individual,” said Tara Comiskey, a captain and commanding officer for the NCPD. “I’m truly honored to be here with my officer.”

Comiskey added that the man was wanted for a previous burglary and for violating an order of protection after a domestic dispute. The NCPD also honored O’Connor with a meritorious award.

The other officers recognized by the Elks Lodge were Sean Gaddy and Nicholas Scicutella of the fifth precinct of the NCPD, Michael Rollo of the Rockville Centre Police Department and Ronald Curaba of the first precinct of the NCPD.