Lewiston Police, community members recognized for their service to the department

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 31, 2007

Ron Winkley (left) joins in recognizing the efforts of Sgt. Frank
Previte, and officers Chris Salada and Tony Nicoletti.

Earlier this month, “Lewiston’s finest” were honored as the Lewiston Police Department recognized both their efforts, as well as the contributions of numerous others from the Lewiston and Niagara County community in improving department operations overall.

“We’re here tonight to recognize contributions of many …” announced Lewiston Police Chief Ron Winkley, as he proceeded to summon many of the nearly two-dozen on hand that evening at the Brickyard Restaurant and Pub in Lewiston to the podium for the presentation of awards and citations. Starting first with presentations of the William H. Gall Memorial Award, for efforts to improve the efficiency of the Police Department, were:

•Lewiston Police Sgt. Frank Previte, who was instrumental in the procurement of two MP-5 .40 caliber tactical weapons for the department.

•Officers Anthony P. Nicoletti and Todd Davidson, whose efforts with local businesses Randy’s Smoke Shop and Waste Technology Services secured funding totaling $2,300 for the purchase of the weapons and improve the department’s tactical capability.

•Previte and Nicoletti, for their numerous contacts and meetings which resulted in securing $5,000 from the U.S. Coast Guard for building materials and equipment at the Lewiston Police Range.

•Nicoletti and Officer Michael Torrie, on their efforts to secure 24-hour access to a local fitness center for Lewiston’s officers, enabling its members maintain their physical fitness and enhance their abilities as an officer.

•Officer Christopher Salada, for his procurement of $5,000 to go towards the purchase of a Total Work Station for the department, enabling it to accurately reconstruct an accident scene to determine its cause.

•Officer John Penzotti, with presentation of the Chief’s Excellence Award. While off-duty in the city of Niagara Falls, Penzotti apprehended a bank robber seen fleeing a bank at Pine Avenue and 19th Street. Through his use of physical force, Penzotti thwarted the bank robber as he attempted to enter a cab to make his getaway. Penzotti was honored for his reacting to a felony situation and actions above and beyond the call of duty.

Officers presented department citations included:

•Officers Salada and Nicoletti.

Salada, who also serves as police chief of the Youngstown Police Department, along with Nicoletti were recognized for their actions in a burglary-in-progress call. As Salada arrived on site, three suspects jumped over a fence from a building and attempted to flee the area. He then led a chase on foot and managed to apprehend one of the suspects.

Nicoletti apprehended a second suspect and a short time later the officers apprehended a third.

•Officers Michael Schuey and Scott Stafford.

While on routine patrol, Schuey came across a vehicle fire that was posing a potential danger to a nearby residence. Schuey at first attempted to extinguish the fire, but without success. Joined by Stafford, the two were instrumental in extinguishing the vehicle fire, while assisting in the safe evacuation of the nearby residents.

•Officer Davidson, who through the assistance of G. Russell Conrad of Princeton Equity Partners, was able to facilitate purchase of an AR-15 tactical weapon for the department.

•Robert Burns of the Military Road Tim Hortons, for his donation of $3,000 towards the purchase of a 35mm digital camera for the department.

•Lewiston No. 2 Volunteer Fire Co. member Joseph Passanese, businessman Mark Cerrone and town of Lewiston DPW, for their combined efforts in securing equipment and assisting in the moving and setting up of the Lewiston Police Department shooting range.

•Randy’s Smoke Shop and WTS for their donations enabling the department’s the purchase of the two aforementioned MP-5 .40 caliber tactical weapons for the department.

•Lewiston businessman/developer Ed Finkbeiner, for his generous $5,000 assistance, which enabled the department to acquire the aforementioned Total Work Station.