The East Hampton Town Police Department honored 17 of its own last week for "outstanding and dedicated acts of professional policing" in the year 2020.
"This year in particular, with the tremendously difficult conditions of Covid-19 and the national narrative around policing, it is important to celebrate the professional and exceptional work these officers performed," Chief Michael D. Sarlo stated in an email.
Nick Lloyd, who is in the 10th year on the force, was named Officer of the Year. Officer Lloyd made a driving-while-intoxicated arrest that led to 19 further criminal charges, 13 of them narcotics-related felonies. In two incidents involving armed individuals who had threatened to harm themselves, he took both into custody safely. Officer Lloyd saved three lives with CPR as well.
Asked how Covid factored into his hands-on work, Officer Lloyd replied, "Sometimes you have to jump in.... "It was definitely a different year than our normal years. It was challenging, and it showed that there are a lot of really good people. I was born here, raised here, and I'm just happy to give back to the community that's given me so much."
Chief Sarlo said that "handling intensely difficult and stressful calls, such as a suicidal subject armed with a knife, threatening to harm themselvesā" spotlights an officer's ability when it comes to de-escalation, safety, and communication.
He commended "the calm, restrained, professional work our officers routinely perform." Officer Lloyd, he said, "is a veteran officer, with solid skills and knowledge who works hard for the department and community," adding that the officer has the "ability to ask probing questions and stay alert in every interaction."
Officer Lloyd also received the Department Recognition award. Officer Robert Greene led in D.W.I. arrests for the third year in a row, and Officer Juan Buitrago was recognized for responding to 968 calls. The Excellent Police Service Award was given to Officers Andrew Nimmo, Joe Izzo, Robert Stone, Andrea Kess, Michael Gomez, Michael Rodriguez, and Brad Hughes.
Officers James Gesa and Juan Buitrago received the Chief's Recognition Award. The Lifesaving Award was presented to Officers Ryan Fink and James Patterson, Robert Greene, Sgt. Ken Alversa, and Det. Sgt. Daniel Toia, as well as Detectives Michael Coleman and Arthur Scalzo.
Chief Sarlo thanked and acknowledged not only the winners, but every member of the department, from officers to dispatchers and civilian support staff, "for stepping up and standing tall for the community during this past year." All officers received an award bar, for display above their shields.