Five members of the Cazenovia Police Department were recognized last week for their outstanding efforts to enforce DWI laws by the Madison County Stop DWI Programs.
Cazenovia Police Sgt. Karen Zaleski, and officers Richard Bennett, Christopher Manion, Stephen White and George Millet were honored along with 14 other law enforcement officers from departments across the county at the 25th annual Law Enforcement Day Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at a ceremony at New Beginnings Church in Wampsville.
According to county records, law enforcement officers arrested 258 individuals in 2012 for driving while intoxicated. The 19 officers recognized at the Stop DWI ceremony accounted for 117, or 45 percent, of total arrests last year.
“We will never know the lives they save, just by doing their jobs,” Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley said of the honored officers to the 90 attendees of the ceremony.
Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol, keynote speaker at the event, stressed the importance of continued vigilance by law enforcement officers to keep roads safe from drunk or impaired drivers. Such drivers not only put their own lives at risk, but they also pose a serious risk to other drivers, he said.
In addition to the Cazenovia officers, personnel from the town police departments of Canastota, Chittenango, Hamilton and Oneida, as well as from the university police at SUNY Morrisville, Madison County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police Troop D also were recognized.
Officer Steven Lowell, of the Oneida Police Department, received the Karl Taylor Award in recognition of his superior commitment to the issue of impaired driving. In addition to his DWI arrests, he has also developed his department’s intern program, serves as a mentor in the program and actively talks to various groups about the dangers of drinking and driving within the Oneida area.
The Karl Taylor Award has been given annually since 2000 in honor of former Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy Karl Taylor, who distinguished himself with his dedication to keeping communities and roads safe for all local residents.
Cazenovia officers Zaleski, Bennett and Manion were present at the ceremony to receive their awards, as was Cazenovia Police Chief Michael Hayes.
“I’m just proud of all my guys,” Hayes said. “We had some very difficult DWI arrests throughout the year, and it’s nice to see them — as well as everyone here today — get recognized for that.”
For more information on the Madison County Stop DWI program, visit madisoncounty.ny.gov/district-attorney/stop-dwi or call the program office at 366-2418.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
