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In 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared May 15, National Police Day.
The largest such event takes place in Washington D.C., where thousands have attended candlelight vigils.
Sadly, news outlets rarely feature it.
Westchester conducts a beautiful ceremony for the men and women in blue. Tuckahoe and Eastchester do as well.
Police Chief Christopher Satriale and the Village Board think it’s time we did the same.
Our department is rich in history and exemplary in behavior.
Staffing has dropped to 21 officers from a high of 28, but they still get the job done.
We have four living chiefs, Chief (Carl) Steinmuller, Chief (Alex) DiVenieri, Chief (Brian) Downey and Satriale.
Satriale has served for 28 years and, Lt. (Richard) Bunyan, 32.
Though quiet, our village has a colorful history.
Some of you may remember when Steinmuller was a detective sergeant in the 1960’s.
He shot and killed an armed robber who was trying to hit the First Federal Bank for the second time, protecting both the customers and staff.
Bronxville was also center stage on one of the highly publicized Tylenol poisoning case.
Seven people died in 1982 in Chicago after ingesting cyanide-laced tablets. Then, in 1986, a woman who had bought the pain reliever at an A&P in Bronxville died of cyanide poisoning.
Several months ago, Detective Sgt. (Richard) Anderson identified a suspect in the St. Joseph’s Church theft after looking at a security video and noticing that his gait was similar to that of a suspect in the Concordia College robbery.
Recently, Satriale was off duty when he noticed a car that fit the description of one linked to a home robbery. He called the license plate in and the suspect was arrested.
Crime has stayed the same, but the age of officers and technology has changed policing dramatically.
Our young officers are anxious to be part of the community.
A record seven youth officers visit local schools.
Officer (David) DiBenedetto coaches lacrosse and Officer (Eric) Van der Leeuw, plays the bagpipe at village events.
Videos, cameras, and license plate readers are used.
But, bottom line, nothing replaces the eyes and ears of intelligent, caring officers and the village is blessed to have 21 of them.
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