By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
As a law enforcement officer here in Upstate New York for half a century, Liverpool Police Officer John Praskey’s work has run the gamut, from issuing traffic violations and investigating highway accidents to leading manhunts and solving major crimes.
While employed in Liverpool over the past 16 years, Praskey has demonstrated both heroism and humanity.
On Feb. 28, 2006, the veteran officer was dispatched to a late-afternoon house fire on Wyker Circle. Never hesitating, he entered the burning house, located 77-year-old Dr. Norman Elitharp and physically dragged the man to safety.
While on road patrol in the winter of 2005, Praskey investigated a suspicious vehicle that turned out to be stolen, and he arrested the man who was driving the car.
Sure, Praskey can be tough when he needs to be, but he has another, softer side. In November 2005 he assisted a stranded motorist from out of town who had run out of fuel and was broke. Praskey dug into his own pocket and gave the motorist $10 for gas.
Within a few days, the motorist sent the officer a thank-you card and repaid the loan.
Similarly, in June 2018 Praskey took pity on a crime victim whose bicycle – his sole transportation – had been stolen in the village. After handling the theft investigation, Praskey arranged for a bicycle to be donated to the man.
But before he joined the LPD in 2004, Praskey had already enjoyed a long and productive career as a New York State Trooper.
After graduating from the NY State Police Academy in October 1970, Praskey worked numerous assignments as a trooper.
He was promoted to sergeant in September 1978 and then again in October 1984 to sergeant/station commander.
While with the NY State Police in Wolcott, he supervised searches for an attempted murder suspect and another for an armed robbery fugitive. Manhunts were one of his specialties. He later helmed the command post in Elmira on a search for escaped prisoners.
Over the years, Praskey often found himself in Monroe County, probing multiple armed robberies, homicide and attempted murder cases.
As a station commander, he handled many administrative matters, such as supervising the NYS Fair as a zone sergeant and coordinating the NYSP response for the Wayne County nuclear reactor alerts.
Praskey completed 34 years with the NY State Police and retired when he reached its mandatory retirement age.
That retirement, however, didn’t last long.
After applying for a part-time position in Liverpool, he was hired by Chief Don Morris and appointed to the LPD by the village board of trustees on Aug. 18, 2004.
While in Liverpool, Praskey received the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board Award for issuing the most seat belt tickets in 2006, and in May 2007 he was named Officer of the Year for 2006 receiving recognition from the LPD and the Liverpool Elks.
“John is a dedicated officer who is enjoys serving our community,” Morris said. “John is well respected by members of the department and by our community.”
Morris said the department is proud of Praskey’s commitment to community service.
He routinely represents the LPD at the Annual Bill Leaf STOP DWI Kickball Tournament, at the Annual Liverpool Fire Department Open House, at the village’s annual Christmas in the Park event.
He also routinely volunteers for the Annual Special Olympics Cops on Top event and the annual Masonic Temple Easter Egg Hunt.
In honor of his half-century on the job, the village board of trustees proclaimed June 29 as Police Officer John M. Praskey Day.
