After 4-Year Hiatus, Jail System Cites its Heroes; 'They Go Beyond the Call'

Correction Officers Devon Christie, Leonid Strelnikov and Walter Soto were escorting 28 prisoners out of the Brooklyn Detention Complex in July when two scurried out of sight. Mr. Christie's keen eye spotted them shimmying under a bus. However, a quick look under the bus revealed nothing. The three officers conducted a more-thorough search that found the inmates suspended from the vehicle's undercarriage.

The Chief-Leader/Michael O'Kane UNDER THE BUS: Correction Officers Devon Christie (left) and Leonid Strelnikov flank Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn after being cited for preventing an escape when they found two inmates hanging from the undercarriage of an agency bus outside the Brooklyn Detention Complex.

"If something goes out of control with two inmates, then everybody tries to get out," said Mr. Christie.

Many Cited for Off-Duty Acts

Mr. Christie, Mr. Strelnikov and Mr. Soto were among 39 Correction Officers honored at the department's first Medal Day ceremony since 2004. They stood out amongst a group of honorees heralded for off-duty acts at a time when city jails have been exceptionally safe.

The Chief-Leader/Michael O'Kane CITY DECORATES UNHERALDED HEROES: Mayor Bloomberg and Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook flank Correction Officers Frederic Fusco (second from left) and William C. Ryba, who received the COBA-Arturo Meyers Member of the Year Award and the Departmental Exceptional Merit Medal at Rikers Island Oct. 2.

 

 

 

 

"It is especially noteworthy that many of the men and women we are honoring today didn't perform the acts of bravery that we're recognizing while they were in uniform," said Mayor Bloomberg who joined the honorees at Rikers Island Oct. 2. "They were away from the job, but they were certainly on duty."

The Mayor noted there has not been a homicide in a city jail in more than three years. "During 2007, there was a grand total of 19 slashings and stabbings in the jails," he said. "Each one is too many. But just keep this in mind: As recently as 1995, there were more than 1,000 such incidents [annually] in our correction facilities."

Assistant Deputy Wardens/Deputy Wardens Association President Sidney Schwartzbaum said he left Rikers Island with a feeling that the city jails were safer than ever. "Ten or 12 years ago [the Correction Department] was always giving out medals to people responding to inmate insurrection," he said. "We haven't had a major riot in years. No news is good news."

Saved 2 From Drowning

This year a Medal of Honor went to Correction Officer Paul Harper for attempting to save two trapped passengers in a submerged vehicle. In October 2005, two elderly passengers in Peekskill drove off a dock into the Hudson River. CO Harper, with the help of the Peekskill Police waded into the water while the car was sinking and drifting away from the dock. He aided in securing the car and removing both passengers.

"Correction Officer Harper showed extraordinary courage by repeatedly entering the water in attempts to save the couple, and remaining there with no regard for his own safety until the rescues were complete despite extreme weather conditions," his citation stated. "In doing so, he demonstrated the ideals of the Department of Correction and brought honor to himself and his fellow officers."

The department's longtime photographer, Correction Officer Ralph Smith, acted as a Good Samaritan to help a drunk driver out of his crashed vehicle. Captain Eddie Vasquez reported and helped apprehend three suspects in a video store hold-up he observed while off-duty in the Bronx. Correction Officers Frederic Fusco and William C. Ryba broke up a knife fight while making deliveries in The Bronx.

Mr. Fusco said he was surprised to hear he would get an award Oct. 2. "It's nice to be recognized," he said. "It gives the officers a lot of incentive."

Mr. Fusco may not have expected the award, in part, because these awards had not been presented since 2004. In January, the Correction Department acknowledged it had shelved Medal Day due to a dispute with the former president of the Correction Captains Association, Peter D. Meringolo, who had a contentious relationship with Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn. Mr. Meringolo had planned to present the union's award to four members whom the agency sought to fire for allegedly beating two inmates who refused to return to their cells.

"All Correction Officers are worthy of receiving a medal — they patrol the toughest precincts in New York: the city jails," said Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook. "They put their lives on the line 24/7 to keep the public safe and secure. I congratulate those officers who received individual awards today for their heroic acts but never forget that every member of this department is worthy of receiving a medal."

'Invisible' But Invaluable

The lack of a ceremony during the past four years no doubt contributed to what the Correction Commissioner called an "invisibility" of his officers to the public. "We speak of the invisibility of our work force, who most of the time work outside of the view of the public," Commissioner Horn said. "But the awards we give today are for valor and honor and effectiveness both behind the bars and doors of our jails and all across the streets and neighborhoods of New York City. Our officers are not just good at their work, they frequently and willingly go above and beyond the normal call of their jobs and they lend a hand in the community no matter the challenge."

Captain Renee Chong lost her life in October 2007 trying to save her children from a fire in her Queens home. She was known for a precise execution of duties and a commitment to her work. "Her final act as a parent was one more unselfish act of bravery and heroism while off-duty, and in doing so she exhibited the highest standards of personal courage and reflected credit upon both herself and the department," the program stated.

Appreciate the Recognition

Several of the honorees said they would support more regular award ceremonies. The widow of Captain Michael Walton, who received the Meritorious Duty award after passing away unexpectedly last month, said it was important to be here. "It is a really great thing that the department takes the time to do this once a year," said Robin Walton. "My husband was very dedicated and I know this ceremony was important to my husband so it was important to be here for him. I think it should be more than once a year."

"We were pleased that the Commissioner decided to have Medal Day," said CCA First Vice President Patrick Ferraiuolo. "We were especially pleased they chose to honor Captain Walton and Captain Chong. We would have liked the department to allow us to give the Exceptional Service award to the Captains of our choice. However, this wasn't the case."