By Kate E. Salute
Gullo's training and responsibilities, however, were different than those of Hill and Sattali. He began his NYPD career working in police service area No. 2. "It's like a housing area that's patrolled," Gullo explained. "There are housing developments or projects in the 73rd, the 75th and the 77th precincts in Brooklyn North. It was a heavy crime area, a lot of domestics."
After housing, Gullo got into the Emergency Service Unit in the city. "What we did there was all types of rescues," he said. "We did water rescues, high-rise rescues, training for if someone ever jumped off a building or bridge, though I never had to actually go up to get somebody down, but I did a lot of training. We also did vehicle extrications -- if someone is trapped in a car, we had the tools to get them out. Also tactical entries, basically what people know as a SWAT team. We didn't get the 911 calls -- the police called us for assistance."
A jack of all trades, Gullo is also trained in HAZMAT operations and as an Emergency Medical Technician.
Growing up in Malverne, he made the most of Valley Stream School District 13, attending James A. Dever for his elementary education and then Valley Stream North in junior high and ninth grade. Gullo then transferred to St. Mary's High School in Manhasset, and graduated in 1992.
After graduation, he traveled the Mediterranean by way of the Navy. For four years he explored the world, starting in basic training in Great Lakes, Ill., and then heading west to San Diego for Fire Fighting School. Then Gullo took to the sea, seeing Italy, France, Spain and Greece. "Turkey was a great area, too," he recalled. "I loved it -- just a really nice area. It was a great experience, because I got out of Malverne, my small world that I'm in when I'm here, and I got to work with people from everywhere, all over the United States. I worked with people from Tennessee, from Boston, just everywhere. That to me was a great education."
Gullo decided while in the Navy that he wanted to be a New York City police officer, but after nearly seven years of service to the NYPD, he came to the conclusion that Malverne was the place he really wanted to be.
"A lot of my life and time have been dedicated to law enforcement, " said Gullo. "Coming from the city and coming to here, it's just different aspects of law enforcement, which is good. It's something new, I'm learning new things here ... Also, it's great because I'm in the neighborhood where I grew up. I know a lot of people that live here. A lot of people that grew up here moved out, and now some of them are married and live here again."
On his days off, Gullo likes to stay active by working out. He also enjoys spending time with his niece and nephew. "You know, it's all about family -- family and friends," he says.
