Thursday, October 1, 2026
Two well-known Valley Streamers were recognized by the Friends of Bridge substance abuse treatment organization on April 17 for their years of dedicated service to the community.
John LaBarbera was named the 2016 Bridge Builder of the Year. He ran a golf outing for the past 10 years in memory of his late son, John, which raised more than $300,000 for a Central High School scholarship that is awarded annually to a student who displays the altruistic character traits that his son was known for. Lieutenant Bill Martin, head of the Valley Stream Auxiliary Police, received the 2016 Community Service Award.
John DeGrace, the leader of the Valley Stream Republican Committee, presented LaBarbera’s award. “John LaBarbera is a person who defines what family is all about, and his courageous journey is an example that we can all learn from,” DeGrace said, commending LaBarbera for his readiness to step up when a need arises.
LaBarbera described his charitable activity as an extension of his son’s caring spirit. “I never wanted the pat on the back. I did it because this is what my son would have wanted — to help other people,” he said. “It has come full circle. It’s very special. I’m truly, truly humbled.”
He thanked the attendees for the award, and for their support in the wake of his family’s tragedy. “They say that it takes a village to raise a child, which is true,” LaBarbera said, “but it took a village to lay my son to rest.”
Nassau County Court Judge Robert Bogle introduced Martin, who worked as a bailiff in Valley Stream Village Court during Bogle’s long tenure as village justice.
“I learned very early on that he’s the type of guy who speaks very softly, but he gets the job done,” Bogle said.
Martin, a Bronx native, moved to Valley Stream in 1993 to be near his sister and her family. He received a recruitment mailing about the auxiliary police soon after and thought it would be a good way to make friends, he said.
“I always wanted to be a cop, but in those days you had to be a certain height,” Martin said.
Bogle said that Martin leads by example, and noted that some officers who grew under his leadership went on to careers in law enforcement, corrections and law.
“The special aspect of Bill is that at this point in his life, he doesn’t have to do any of this,” Bogle said. “He could have hung out, could have played golf all day, but instead he gave back to all of us.”
Martin said he was pleased to live in and serve the Valley Stream community. “I joined the force and here I am, age 77 and still doing it,” he said. “And I’ll keep doing it — until I drop dead or something.”
