Cazenovia Village Police Department Sgt. Karen Zaleski and Officer Chad Chapman both received letters of citation last Monday, Nov. 4, at the regular monthly meeting of the village board of trustees for actions they took during this past year that showed outstanding professional performance as they carried out their duties.
Zaleski’s citation was given for her actions on Sept. 29, when at 9:04 p.m. she encountered a male subject in Lakeland Park with whom she started a conversation based on the late hour and her observations of the man. During her interaction with the man, he said he did not want to live and felt he was better off dead.
“Because of your compassion and your interpersonal skills you were able to get the male to agree to seek help. You then transported the male to St. Joseph’s [Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program] unit,” the citation states. “Because of your high dedication to duty and the performance of those duties you prevented a young man from harming himself and provided him with the help he needed.”
Chapman’s citation as given for his actions on Feb. 1, when at 9:21 p.m. he and Officer James Kazmirski investigated an open door at the Atwell Mill building and treated the scene as a possible burglary. After clearing the building and determining no criminal activity had occurred, the two officers exited the building out the rear fire escape. As Kazmirski exited the building, his foot caught on the lip of the fire escape stairs and he tore his quadriceps tendon.
“You immediately called for medical aid and then carried Officer Kazmirski down the two flights of metal stairs on the outside fire escape,” the citation states. “Because of your quick action and dedication to your fellow officer, you were able to get Officer Kazmirski to awaiting medical attention without additional injury to yourself or Officer Kazmirski.”
Cazenovia Police Chief Michael Hayes awarded Zaleski her commendation at the meeting; Chapman was not present and received his letter at a later date.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
