Lewiston Police honors law enforcement first responders

photo and story by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 25, 2006

Lewiston police officers recognized in the department’s 2006 awards program (left to right) include: Chief Ron Winkley, officers Tony Nicoletti and Alan Baird, Sgt. Frank Previte III, and officer James Ullery. Not shown, officer Michael Schuey.

Recognizing the role of the area’s law enforcement first responders, earlier this month the Lewiston Police Department announced its awards of top Lewiston officers, as well as others in northern Niagara for 2006. The announcement was made prior to its annual joint police meeting with the Lewiston Town Board and the Village Board of Trustees.

An annual program by the LPD, the 2006 awards recognize the notable individual efforts of both Lewiston officers as well as other law enforcement professionals in the area in recent years. “It’s a good award to recognize our officers for what they do in the community,” commented Lewiston Police Chief Ronald Winkley.

Winkley related that the Lewiston Police, which consolidated into one unit in 1996 to better reflect its service needs to the town and village, has grown in scope over the years to become a standout agency in Niagara County. With 10 full-time and four part-time officers, it assists with Homeland Security-related needs for an international bridge crossing and the state Power Authority complex, in addition to general law enforcement responsibilities for a developing region. Comprised of degreed, veteran, professionals, this relatively small department provides numerous services, and very much functions like a big city law enforcement agency, with the safety and welfare of the community being its primary concern.

“It is a department dedicated to community policing and professional conduct,” said Winkley. “We are proud to serve and live in this great community.”

Individual Efforts

He says the department’s awards program, which covers 13 areas of recognition, acknowledges both the past performance of the officer on the job as well as his or her own individual expertise, professional training, educational background and contributions to the community. This year, six veteran members of the Lewiston Police Department, including two supervisors, plus a New York State Trooper and three Niagara Sheriff’s deputies, were honored for their service and actions of bravery. They include:

•Police Chief Winkley – winner of the Meritorious Service Award and the National Academy Award.

A 25-year member of the department, Winkley received the Meritorious Service Award for his “exceptional service over a period of time, which reflects great credit upon the individual and the Lewiston Police Department.” Winkley, who has a master’s in criminal justice administration from Niagara University, holds undergraduate level degrees in criminal justice from RIT and NCCC. A member of NCCC’s Distinguished Alumni, he is a Certified School Resource Officer and a DARE instructor.

Winkley is also a graduate of the 168th session of the FBI National Academy, having attended in 1992, and was so honored this year with the department’s National Academy Award.

A certified administrator and investigator for Missing and Exploited Children, Winkley was honored with the Buffalo State University Criminal Justice Alumni Outstanding Professional in the Criminal Justice Field Award in 2005, and the Lewiston-Porter United Teachers “Friend of Education” honor in 1995 and 2004.

•Sgt. Frank Previte III – winner of the Chief’s Distinguished Service Award and the National Academy Award.

Previte, who joined the department in 1995, was honored with the Chief’s Distinguished Service Award for his “outstanding service and dedication to the Lewiston Police Department and the citizens of the Town and Village of Lewiston.”

A graduate of the 222nd session of the FBI National Academy, having attended in 2005, he also received recognition with LPD’s National Academy Award.

Previte, who holds the department titles of patrol supervisor, training supervisor, firearms instructor, tactical weapons instructor, and investigations coordinator, is a certified New York State Police instructor, and also serves as a field training officer program administrator. In addition he is a Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy instructor, serves as a hostage negotiation team leader for the department and is a defensive tactics and firearms proficiency award winner.

LPD Officers

•Lewiston Police officers Alan Baird, Michael Schuey and Anthony P. Nicoletti – recipients of the Chief’s Excellence Award, “for an act involving grave personal danger in the intelligent performance of duty.”

A 26-year veteran of the department, Baird was recognized for his role in a fire rescue in July 2005. Responding to a kitchen fire and learning that an elderly female was inside, on two occasions Baird attempted to go inside to rescue the woman.

Similarly Nicoletti, a member of the LPD since 1996, was recognized for his response in a home fire situation. He entered a residence where a grease fire was raging, and managed to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher.

Schuey, who has been in the Lewiston Police Department since 2000, was recognized for his actions in a mobile home fire in July 2003. Upon learning that a resident was still inside, Schuey entered the residence and helped the occupant safely outside. He then re-entered the mobile home with a fire extinguisher and was able to put the fire out.

•Officer James Ullery – recipient of the William H. Gall Memorial Award for service to the department. Ullery, a member of the LPD since 1996, was cited for past efforts “to increase efficiency in administrative or tactical procedures” for the department, notably, his developing and implementing a field training program for Lewiston Police, which went on to be adopted for use.

Trooper Honored

•New York State Trooper Anthony LaRock – recipient of the Chief’s Medal of Honor. The honor is typically presented to a law enforcement officer, “who intelligently, in the line of duty, distinguishes themselves with an act of courage involving great risk or injury, with the knowledge of such risk and injury, for the purpose of saving or protecting human life, or for their giving their life while performing such an act.”

LaRock, a resident of Wilson, is a 12-year veteran of the New York State Police, working out of its Niagara substation. In April of 2004, while responding to a motor vehicle accident on Ridge Road in Lewiston, he found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. Acting quickly, LaRock managed to safely remove the male driver and a passenger from inside, saving their lives. One individual perished in the accident.

In addition to the Lewiston Police honor for his bravery, LaRock was recognized with the Brummer Award – the highest honor presented by the New York State Police – received the Chiefs of Police Annual Award, and commendations by the 100 Club of Buffalo and the New York state Legislature.

Other LPD honors included department citations presented to Lewiston officers Jeremy Booth, and officers Schuey and Ullery (both receiving two honors). In addition Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies Lisa Gerlach, Greg Schuey, and Jerry Granto received citations for service to the community by the Lewiston Police Department.

All received commendation in “recognition for an act or acts not … covered by a specific award.”