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Overcast Knights of Columbus honors fallen Valley Streamer for 90th anniversary
The Knights of Columbus Saint Therese Council 2622 celebrated 90 years as a council on April 23 by honoring fallen police officer John Scarangella, who was killed on duty in 1981. Scarangella was a Valley Stream resident, and his wife, Vivian, still lives in Valley Stream and is active in the community.
“This is our 90th anniversary and we’re from Valley Stream, so we wanted to pick someone from Valley Stream who was killed in the line of duty,” said Larry Lombardo, the district deputy of Knights of Columbus District 107.
Scarangella and his partner Richard Rainey pulled over a van on 116th street in New York City on April 16, 1981 in connection with a series of burglaries that had occurred in the area. Anthony Laborde and James Dixon-York then came out of the van firing 9 mm handguns. Scarangella passed away two weeks later at the age of 42.
Members of the 113th New York Police Department precinct came to Valley Stream from New York City to commemorate the event. “It was a nice turnout,” Lombardo said.
According to Lombardo, the Knights of Columbus always try to honor the memory of fallen service members at their annual breakfast. “I always want to make sure they’re not forgotten,” he said, adding that he is also a retired sergeant with the New York State Transit Police.
The Knights also honored community members who have been active in the community and their parish. At the breakfast, Legislator William Gaylor III was named Man of the Year and Nicole Alimario was named Woman of the Year. The Grand Knight of the Year was Tom Avallone. Next year, Lombardo also wants to add an award for Fireman of the Year.
“We want to thank the community that’s there for us, so we’re there for them,” Lombardo said.
