First Annual Oneida County Law Enforcement Awards Dinner
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ROME — Local police forces took time out of a rough year, which included the death of New Hartford police Officer Joseph Corr, to honor three of their members Sunday night.
Recognized during the first annual Oneida County Law Enforcement Awards Dinner at The Beeches in Rome were New Hartford Police Officer Ronald Fontaine for his valor, Kirkland Police Chief Daniel English for his leadership and state Trooper James Simpson for his lifetime achievement.
The award was bittersweet for Fontaine, who received it largely because of his efforts the night Corr was slain, Fontaine said. He rushed to Corr's side after Corr was shot and attempted CPR on him.
"It's nice to be honored by your peers," Fontaine said, "but on the other hand, obviously, the events that led up to the award were very difficult to deal with for all local law enforcement."
English and Simpson also played roles in the Corr investigation.
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association Oneida Sector and COPS CARE presented the dinner, which was attended by Corr's parents and featured a speech by Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, D-Rome.
Tim Collins, Oneida Correctional Facility chief sector steward, was honored for his efforts in organizing the event.
"With the recent loss of our fellow law enforcement officers, we just felt like we needed to do something to show our appreciation," Collins said.
Collins enjoyed the reactions of the award recipients, he said.
"I felt overwhelmed that they were so appreciative," he said.
Leadership and service were the focus of English's award.
English began on Oct. 5, 1981, as the only full-time police officer for Kirkland, and worked his way up to chief of a department that now has five full-time officers and 10 part-time officers, he said.
"It's been nice to see it evolve," English said.
Simpson was honored just to be recognized on the same night as English and Fontaine, he said.
"The greatest honor you can receive is to be recognized by your peers, and that's what this was tonight," Simpson said.
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