Croton's Finest Receive High Honors

Four members of Marine Unit received the First Place honors in the Journal News Police Honor Awards Program.   Detective Sergeant John Nikitopoulos, Sergeant John Barirde, and Police Officers Douglas Garrido and Corey Velardo were recognized for their brave actions, despite personal danger to themselves, which resulted in the saving of lives.  

On August 28, 2011 at 5:41 pm, the officers responded to multiple calls of a boat overturned in the Croton River.  This was the day following the Hurricane Irene storm which caused the river to be extremely rough and dangerous. 

Five males had attempted to ride an inflatable raft from Croton Gorge Park downstream to the Hudson River.  The raft overturned in the swift waters and the occupants fell into the river.  The Police Marine unit was assigned to search for the men.   also responded immediately and additional manpower was brought in from the County Police, NYS Police, Ossining Police, NYPD Aviation as well as Ossining, Yorktown and Irvington Fire Departments. 

Three occupants of the overturned boat  reached shore safely.  A fourth occupant was pulled from the water by the Marine unit, given CPR and taken to the hospital where he later died. The fifth occupant was unreachable in a rough water area, holding onto a tree.  After 2 and 1/2 hours, he let go.  The Marine unit was able to pull  him from the river as he floated downstream. He was subsequently taken to the hospital and survived.

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During this rescue operation a member of the Croton Volunteer Fire Department also fell into the Croton River.  Officer Velardo and another volunteer firefighter were able to get a rescue ring to him and pull him to safety. The Police Honors Award program was established by the Journal News in conjunction with the Westchester County Chiefs of Police in 1955. The awards  recognize heroic and outstanding police work.  There are three categories of awards.  Croton’s officers were awarded first place in Category Three which specifically recognizes actions resulting in the saving of a life through immediate and intelligent action and prompt and professional application of medical aid. 

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The preceding was from the Village of Croton-on-Hudson's May newsletter.