Nearly two months after Mayor Miner's refusal to sign commendation led to boycott, officers honored
Award winning Syracuse Police Officers share a light moment during the 2010 Medal Awards Program at the Summit Federal Credit Union on E. Genesee St. in Syracuse.. L to R Officer Joseph Evans won the SPD Life Saving Award, Officer Alfonso Varlaro II won the PBA Valor Award, and Officer Shawn Prue was one of three officers winning the PBA Merit Award. In June, Mayor Stephanie Miner’s refusal to sign a commendation for the Wallie Howard Jr. Award for Llukaci led to boycott by police of a planned joint police-firefighter awards ceremony. Miner cited a jury verdict in December which found Llukaci used excessive force against suspect John R. Kelly in a 2001 drug and assault case. The jury awarded Kelly $1 and found that Llukaci should pay an unspecified amount of punitive damages. The city eventually settled that case for $10,000 and paid attorneys’ fees of about $7,500, Miner said.
The Syracuse Police Benevolent Association held its own ceremony at the auditorium at Summit Federal Credit Union on East Genesee Street Wednesday evening. More than 300 people attended the ceremony, rising to their feet as Llukaci received the Wallie Howard Award for his 18 months of undercover police work from Howard’s brother, Wayne, and Police Chief Frank Fowler.
Howard died 20 years ago while working undercover for Syracuse police.
During remarks, PBA President Jeffrey Piedmont noted that Fowler was a past recipient of the award.
“The first,” said Fowler, bringing laughter and applause.
After receiving the award, Llukaci got another standing ovation asFowler stood next to him, his arm around his shoulder.
Eighteen other officers received awards Wednesday, including detectives Richard Curran and Edward Falkowski who in April 2009 responded to a call on Ballantyne Road. Both were shot at by a suspect with a .357 magnum revolver. Curran was hit in the back and shoulder. The two chased down the suspect returned fire and the suspect, James Tyson was killed. The two were awarded the department’s Francis Hendricks Medal.
Other recipients of awards included Officer Joseph Evans, who rescued an 8-year-old from a burning home by convincing the boy to jump into his arms; Officer Alfonso Varlaro II and Detective Kevin Birardi, who saved a suicidal man from jumping from the Hiawatha Boulevard overpass above Interstate 81; officers Leo Dadey and Paul Rose who captured and arrested an armed man; Officer Ty Cogan who chased an armed man down Gifford Street, through a home and back outside the home. After tracing the suspect’s steps, police found a loaded .380 caliber handgun.
Detectives Michael Murphy and Clark Farry received the Post-Standard Award for their work clearing one suspect in a fatal shooting and work leading the arrest of another.
Officers Andrew Rawson and David Mathewson and Det. Mark Techmanski received the Jerome P. Slater award for their response to a reported armed robbery at which the suspect began shooting at police then withdrew. When he reappeared and fired again, police shot him dead.
Officer Michael Musengo received the PBA President's Award for his response when an armed man pointed a shotgun at other police officers. The suspect, Stephen R. Haag, 27, of 218 Mildred Ave., later pleaded insanity in the case.
Officers Shawn Prue, William Summers and Scott Fura received PBA Merit Awards for their work seizing drugs and guns.
Det. Lieutenant Steven Baratta received the Timothy T. Laun Award for his leadership and work on many committees.
Federal Marshal Christopher Amoia received recognition for his cooperation with Syracuse police.
Media recognition was awarded to Christine Casciano for her work in television. She was credited with helping police solve many crimes.
Piedmonte said Fowler's presence at the PBA-presented awards earned the new chief credibility with the rank and file of the department. Noting that Fowler is appointed by the mayor, Piedmonte said, "he put himself out on a limb by coming."
During his introductory remarks, Fowler said he was "chief of police for the greatest police department in the entire nation." After the event he said every award was well deserved.
Contact Charles McChesney at cmcchesney@syracuse.com.