| | Clinton Members Sponsors Santa Holiday Express Program | The Press Republican- Union sponsorship
TO THE EDITOR: Mooers Elementary would like to thank the members of the Clinton Correctional Facility Union NYSCOPBA for sponsoring the Santa Holiday Express Program. Their donations made it possible for gifts to be purchased and given to many students in our community. Through the kindness and generosity of union NYSCOPBA, many families were better able to enjoy the holidays. Programs such as this involve a great deal of coordination and commitment. A special thank you as well to Steve Muller, who invited us to participate, personally shopped for many gifts and also delivered them.
Dennis Rasco, Principal
Debbie LaBarge, School counselor | | | Watertown Members Donate to the Community | Members of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) from the Watertown Correctional Facility made a donation of $1,000 to the Community Action Planning Council in support of holiday gifts for children. The donation was inspired by an appeal made by Senator Patty Ritchie in which she urged the local community to support charities that distribute Christmas gifts to children of low-income families. When representatives from CAPC visited Senator Ritchie's district office in Watertown to pick up toys, they were greeted by NYSCOPBA officers from the Watertown Correctional Facility who presented the check. Watertown Correctional Facility NYSCOPBA members have recently donated a total of $5,700 in support of charities, including Hospice of Jefferson County, the Children's Miracle Network, Meals on Wheels, the Carthage Area Hospital and Watertown Urban Mission.
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Pictured (from left): Officer Edward Jewett, NYSCOPBA Watertown Correctional Facility Chief Sector Steward, Sharon Bouchard, CAPC Family Center Director, and Sergeant Steven LaPlaca, NYSCOPBA Watertown Correctional Facility Treasurer. |
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| | | Officer Wayne Eamer Receives Valor Award |  | Officer Wayne Eamer was awarded a Valor Award on 12/7/2011 at the December 2011 Executive Assembly Meeting for his quick response and heroic actions in his attempt to save the life of another. On April 18, 2011, Officer Eamer received a call from 911 advising him that his neighbor was in distress. Wayne responded and found his neighbor unconscious and not breathing from a massive heart attack. Wayne assessed the victim, provided vital CPR and used an AED pack to keep the victim alive until EMS arrived. Wayne, with assistance from a police officer arriving later, performed CPR for over 30 minutes, an incredible physical feat. | | We recognize the actions of Officer Eamer as above the call of duty and a great example of the community service provided by our members. Nice work Wayne! |
| | | | Coxsackie CF Employees Doing Good for a Soldiers Family | FOX 23 News 12/8/2011- Story on Fox News 23 with Video - Another Story in The Daily Mail Having a loved one serving overseas is tough to begin with, but when Mom or Dad is gone over Christmas, it's even more difficult. That's a fact the Toleman's of Stillwater learned the hard way this year. Mom Rebecca Toleman has had to assume the role of both parents ever since March 17. That's when her husband Army Staff Sgt. Michael Toleman deployed to Afghanistan. More here... | | | | | | | 2011 Toys for Tots Campaign |  |
NYSCOPBA has once again joined with Channel 13 to sponsor the 2011 US Marine Toys for Tots Campaign. We collect and donate new, unwrapped toys for children in need. More here | | | | 2011 Statewide Charity Golf Tournament | | NYSCOPBA raises over $14,000 for Charity! The second annual statewide charity golf tournament was held on September 21, 2011. Over 20 teams competed for bragging rights and to support charitable organizations. We thank all members who participated in the event and took the time to make the event a huge success. More here... | | | | | 2011 DOCCS Awards |  | Left to Right: Officer John Matyas (Gowanda), DOCCS Commissioner Fischer, Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Public Safety Liz Glazer, Officer Thomas Makeyenko (Gowanda) and Officer Jean Gagnon (Riverview). Full text of Citations - More info here |
| Northern Region Charity Golf Tournament |  | NYSCOPBA's Northern Region held a Charity Golf Tournament in Lake Placid on 5/30/2011. The event was a great success for all. Our Members enjoyed a day on the golf course in beautiful Lake Placid and helped donate over $4,300 to the Shriner's Children's Hospital. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a day to remember. More info here... | | | |
Tribute to Officers from Gowanda CF |
| | | On 10/20/2010, several NYSCOPBA members from Gowanda CF responded to a distressed motorist. The victims vehicle had struck a tree and caught fire and the victim could not get out of the vehicle. Officers P. Musialowski, R. Nolan, R. Havernick, L. Petricca and R. Collins assisted the victim out of the vehicle, attempted to extinguish the fire and gave help to the Police and medical personnel who responded to the scene. These officers are to be commended for their quick thinking and calmly handling a dangerous situation. These officers were presented with plaques and a $500 award for their efforts. Incredibly, each officer chose to present the family of the victim with the monetary award. Outstanding!
Letter from Vice President Al Mothershed |
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NYSCOPBA raises over $10,000 for local charities |
2010 Ride for Missing and Exploited Children |  | | NYSCOPBA members came out to show their support for THE RIDE FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN as it passes by Marcy and Midstate Correctional Facilities. Our members participated in the Ride and came out to show their support for the cause. More pics here... | | |
NYSCOPBA Members enter burning house to rescue wheelchair bound victim |
 | | | On 12/18/2009, Correction Officers Tim Arquiett and Rob Arquiett (volunteer firefighters) responded to a fire call. Upon arrival at a house fire, they observed the home fully engulfed in flames. Despite the risk to themselves, they entered the home and rescued a wheel chair bound man and his sister. NYSCOPBA salutes Tim and Rob for their heroic act. |
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Central New York Members donate! |
Hats off to the NYSCOPBA Members at Oneida, MidState, Mohawk and Marcy for voting to donate $5000 to help the Missing and Exploited children. |  |
NYSCOPBA Member assists a victim in the water |
 | | | Lawrence Aschenbrenner was driving near a river and noticed 2 people struggling in the water near their swamped canoe. Lawrence went to the river, got in a motor boat that was docked nearby and rescued the victims. Well done Lawrence! |
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Member assists Police Officer |
On August 12, 2008, Correction Officer Anthony Burl saw a Plattsburg patrol officer struggling to restrain a combatant. Officer Burl offered assistance and was able to bring the situation under control. |  |
Joe Porcaro honored for his dedication |
 | Joe Porcaro is presented with a recognition award for his dedication to the Veteran members of NYSCOPBA. |
Member helps victim being assaulted |
On March 18, 2009, Officer E. Withers heard signs of distress from a neighbor's apartment. Upon investigation, Officer Withers discovered an assailant and a victim in need of aid. CO Withers identified the assailant to the police and provided CPR to the victim. Valor Award Presented 6/2/09. |  |
Medal of Merit Citation Awarded to Officer Al Miller |
| While working on his house on the banks of the Tonawanda Creek in Indian Falls on August 16, 2008, Correction Officer Al Miller heard loud voices coming from the creek. Officer Miller saw a woman and her two young daughters stranded with their kayak in the middle of the white water rapids. Officer Miller, without regard for his own safety, entered cold, dangerous white water rapids to rescue a mother and her two children from conditions that most likely would have resulted in catastrophe if he had not taken immediate action. Officer Miller does not consider himself a hero for his actions, and even walked away quietly when the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department asked who had saved the woman and her children. But by putting himself in harm’s way to help others, Officer Miller is, in fact, a hero worthy of recognition and gratitude. Officer Miller, you displayed bravery and courage by willingly placing yourself in harm’s way. |
Medal of Merit Citation Awarded to Officer Jay Siskavich |
| On July 15, 2008, in the north yard at Clinton Correctional Facility, an altercation erupted. Correction Officer Jay Siskavich saw an inmate trying to stab another inmate. Officer Sisavich responded to the incident and restrained the inmate with the weapon. The Officer suffered a stab wound but was still able to disarm and subdue the inmate with the help of other officers. Officer Siskavich’s quick and courageous actions, and his determination in the face of his own injury, prevented serious injury to others. Officer Siskavich, you displayed bravery and courage by willingly placing yourself in harm’s way. |
Member Mike Bigaj Honored |
NYSCOPBA would like to take this opportunity to recognize one of our members from Collins Correctional Facility. Mike Bigaj is an Officer and a union steward at Collins and has recently drawn the attention of his Chief Steward Dan Keller and a number of his peers. Officer Bigaj organized a charity event to benefit Sergeant John Hackemer who was seriously wounded in Iraq by a roadside bomb. The event raised over $113,000 to support Sergeant Hackemer and his family and Officer Bigaj worked tirelessly to make the event a big success. In addition, Officer Bigaj continually volunteers his time for charity events in the community. He has dressed up in costume to give out gifts at the Children's Hospital in Buffalo, cooked Christmas dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, solicited 400 hours of leave donation for a fellow member, gives blood regularly, and is always a positive influence to those around him. We don't believe you realize the lives you have touched with your kindness, your unselfishness,and your ability to make a difference in peoples lives. You have touched the lives of not only those you have worked so hard for but also your family, your co-workers, and your community. Mike you are a man of compassion with an unwavering character that is admired by many. We Thank You and Commend you for all that you do for so many. |
| Security Services Assistant 1, Marjorie Garrick | | Officer Garrick is a recipient of the 2009 Suny Chancellor's award presented by Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher for Classified Services with in the University Police Department. NYSCOPBA also recognizes you for your achievement. | | | | SSO's Sgt. William Fernandez and Hiram Gonzalez | | On March 18, 2008, Sgt. William Fernandez and S/O Hiram Gonzalez assisted a detective in making an arrest outside the facility. The detective was in a struggle with the perpetrator and requested assistance from our Officers. Sgt. Fernandez and Officer Gonzalez responded retrieved the Detective's cuffs from the perpetrator and placed the perpetrator under arrest. The Officers also waited with the detective until his back up arrived on the scene. |
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