The East Hampton Town Police Department recognized its best of 2025 this week. Joseph Riccardi was named Police Officer of the Year and was joined by 17 other officers, detectives, and a dispatcher in being recognized for outstanding service.
Chief Michael Sarlo said in a release that in the last year, Officer Riccardi performed lifesaving CPR, secured an illegal gun, and was instrumental in investigating a case that led to multiple felony charges, “including reckless endangerment and unlawfully fleeing a police vehicle.”
The department also honored five detectives with its Excellent Police Service award: John Anderson, David Orlando, Michael Coleman, Bret Herlihy, and Det. Sgt. Frank Sokolowski.
Lifesaving awards were presented to Officers Juan Buitrago, James Gesa, James Patterson, Tyler Gilbride, Brad Hughes, Steven Piazza, and Joseph Riccardi. The Chief’s Recognition award went to Officer Riccardi, Officers Nicole Fierro, James Brezinski, Ian Cooke, Ross Hamilton, and Daniel Munoz, as well as the chief of the public safety division, Stephen Blanchard.
Chief Sarlo noted that Officer Cooke “led the department in handling 596 calls during the year.”
Officer Fierro, Officer Riccardi, and Officer Matthew Griffiths were recognized for their enforcement of drunken-driving offenses.
All those honored for their outstanding service in 2025 received awards bars, to be worn above their shields.