Robert Kellermann, retired Nassau officer, gets ‘Top Cop’ award

Nassau Police Officer Robert Kellermann, who apprehended a burglary suspect in Massapequa, is honored at the Nassau County Legislature on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Mineola. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Nassau Police Officer Robert Kellermann, a 29-year-veteran, got a call about a home invasion in Massapequa last October.
A woman, who was home alone, called the police at 3 a.m. on Oct. 10 to report a burglary in progress, officials said. When Kellermann pulled up to the house, he spotted a suspect running and gave chase, eventually assisting in the suspect’s arrest, officials said.
Kellermann, who has since retired from the department, was recognized Monday by the Nassau County Legislature and the Police Benevolent Association as January’s “Top Cop” for what acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter called “truly heroic actions.”
“There’s probably nothing more terrifying, to have someone break in your house,” said Krumpter, who added that he has worked with Kellermann in the Fifth Precinct “once upon a time.”
PBA President James Carver noted Kellermann’s dedication to the job — even as he was set to retire.
“Officer Kellermann, who’s 29 years on the job, was getting ready to retire,” Carver said. “What’s he do? Most people would sit there and say, ‘Ah, I got 90 days left. Maybe I’ll take a slow run or whatever. Even though he put on a little weight over the years, he ran him down and he got this guy.”
Kellermann, 51, retired from the department Jan. 7 — three months after catching the suspected burglar — and said there was no question about chasing the suspect.
“Just like all the police in Nassau County, I’m a police officer till the day I retire,” said Kellermann, who added: “It’s just natural that you’re gonna do that.”
Kellermann said “it’s a big honor,” to be publicly acknowledged and to receive a citation from Nassau lawmakers. As for retirement, he said, “Nothing in the works yet. It still hasn’t hit me.”