Suffolk's list of civilian Police Department honorees

Public safety dispatcher Kerry Allen-Lever from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype facilitated the safe return of a missing 64-year-old man from Lake Ronkonkoma who was legally blind and diabetic.

Public safety dispatcher Vincent Canosa from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype displayed professionalism in helping officers arrest suspects in a major crime.

Senior clerk typist Patricia Caponigro from the Office of Homeland Security and Anti-Terrorism performed "time-sensitive work" that "never failed to meet even the shortest deadlines."

Chief surgeon and medical director Dr. Scott S. Coyne from the Medical Evaluation Bureau created the Medical Crisis Action Team of five surgeons and 18 police officers. The team offers "prompt and advanced emergency medical services at the scene of major incidents."

Administrator Janet Lacascia from the Office of the Chief of Department was recognized for "coordinating the administrative functions of her department" as well as "her work ethic, knowledge, dependability as an employee and ability to teach others."

Emergency complaint operator Donna McCabe from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype helped calm a suicidal Bay Shore man under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The man called 911, and McCabe "developed a rapport" with the caller and "helped save his life with her persistence and compassion," police said.

Budget Technician Christine Miller from the budget section was recognized for "expediting the purchase of and training on equipment for police personnel" and managing "a large workload . . . in the face of competing priorities."

Principal clerk Christine Pfeiffer from the Reports Control and Maintenance Unit Section was recognized for "helping to initiate and cooperate with the Department of Social Services to track the status of all DSS Child Protective Services and special DSS unit requests." The joint initiative helped save $5 million in foster care expenses last year, police said.

Public safety dispatcher Greg Pouletsos from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype was recognized for "initiating and updating the telephone resource book for communications personnel."

Mechanic Russell J. Renner from the Facilities Management Section was recognized for "converting the old quartermaster space into an area that could be used for several different functions, including the commissioner's tactical operations center/media room and the new Electronics Investigation Lab."

Emergency complaint operator Jeanne Ritzmann from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype convinced a suicidal man armed with a shotgun who had called 911 to reconsider. Her work made the man "secure the weapon, leave his home peacefully and surrender to police."

Research technicians Mark Privett and Eric Stroh from the Criminal Intelligence Section were recognized for their work with the Suffolk County Alert Network. Their efforts in organizing databases and following organized crime patterns "have resulted in numerous arrests of organized crime and gang-affiliated members within Suffolk County."

Public safety dispatcher Linda Bell from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype was recognized for work in enhancing the 911 KIDS program, which helped "elementary school students and scout troops to understand the importance of utilizing 911 only for police emergencies."

Police safety dispatcher Jodi Weitz from Receiving/Dispatch/Teletype was honored with the Edward A. Wisbauer Jr. Award for her ability to overcome adversity and continue to render outstanding service. After she was diagnosed with lymphoma, Weitz, a single mother of three sons, continued to work the midnight shift as a dispatcher. She also offers advice on how illness can affect someone physically and emotionally.

Christine Wendling, a clerk from the Medical Evaluation Bureau also received the Wisbauer award. Wendling, recently diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, has returned to work and is described as an "inspiration to everyone she comes into contact with," police said.

Auxiliary police deputy inspector Charles Voboril was honored with the Auxiliary Police Award for his 36 years of service, including more than 8,600 career hours, training auxiliary police officers and holding several certifications.

The Arrests Records unit was honored for providing around-the-clock access to arrest records. In one case, the unit discovered a person in custody was wanted in a murder case in Texas.

The members of the department are:

Principal clerks Barbara Allen and Maria Kurz; senior police operations aides Deborah Grundstrom and Valerie Zickmund; police operations aide Jeanette Guilfoyle; head clerk HelenMarie Mooney; and senior clerk typists Sean Alveari, LouAnn Bernier, Demetra Brodie, Diane Dillon, Debra Fuzie, Barbara Hand, Candace Krieger, Carol McCawley, Grace Morrison, Patricia Rabito, Tami Russell (transferred), Debra Tumillo and Lisa Viscusi.