By Angela Marshall
Wasson, a 22-year member of the New York City Police Department, was just named Rockville Centre's new village administrator.
Last week, Wasson of Rockville Centre retired as commanding officer of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit. On Aug. 12, he will join the village staff, replacing former administrator Anthony Cancellieri. After 14 years on the job, Cancellieri left the village in January to join Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi's staff.
Cancellieri, like Wasson, was a New York City cop before taking the village's top administrative post.
While they weren't looking specifically for an NYPD alumnus to fill the position, Mayor Eugene Murray said he wasn't surprised that he and the board of trustees chose one. It was in the police department, the mayor said, that Wasson and Cancellieri both learned the discipline needed to run a village.
"Whoever we have spoken to has nothing but the finest of praise for Ronald Wasson," Murray said. "We're looking forward to a long time working together."
Wasson, 42, loved the police department and found leaving it difficult, but like many others after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he decided it was time to reevaluate what was important to him.
Specializing in building collapse and rescue work, the Emergency Service Unit is sent to all disasters in New York City. Sept. 11 was no different. When the towers fell, Wasson lived, 14 of his men did not, a fact he will never forget.
Wasson and the unit's other survivors were instrumental in the initial rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero and the months of cleanup that followed. They were also at the heart of the Anthrax investigation.
Wasson gave himself wholeheartedly to the city for 22 years and now, he said, it is time to connect with his family and hometown community.
Wasson is grateful for the time his family allowed him to spend on the force. "They let me play cops and robbers all that time," he said.
He and his wife, Karen, have three daughters, Keri, who attends Sacred Heart Academy, Lisa and Laura, who both attend St. Agnes Cathedral School.
Wasson grew up in the village and attended St. Agnes before going to Chaminade High School. He went on to study at St. John's University, Columbia University's school of business and earned his master's at Marist College.
He followed the footsteps of a beloved uncle when he joined the force and never regretted the decision.
As a young cop, he met Joseph McGrann, now a deputy chief with the NYPD. Both were just starting out, but McGrann said he knew even back then that Wasson was destined for bigger and better things.
Although he is happy for Wasson, McGrann said the commander's departure is a big loss for himself, the department and New York City.
"He was well respected by everybody," McGrann said.
Wasson, McGrann said, was "eminently qualified" to oversee the Emergency Service Unit and will bring those same leadership qualities to his administrative role in Rockville Centre.
The village administrator oversees almost 20 departments, advises the board of trustees and makes recommendations on public policy. He also acts as clerk/treasurer of the village.
Wasson said that in addition to spending more time with his family, the only other reason he would leave the police force would be to do something challenging, which he knows keeping the village running will be.
He likes the idea that now he will have a vested interest in what he is doing because he lives here.
His top priority will be making sure the services people have come to expect from the village will continue to run smoothly.
