Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today congratulates the 192 new members of the State Police at the 205th session graduation ceremony from the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Today marks another significant moment in the proud 100 year history of the New York State Police. The graduation ceremony is one of our finest traditions and introduces a new generation of highly trained men and women, who will serve the citizens of the State of New York with honor and integrity. I am proud to welcome these graduates to our ranks.”
In addition to honoring all graduates from the 205th Session of Basic School, Superintendent Beach presented the following awards:
Academic Achievement Award
As a special incentive for all students attending the State Police Academy Basic School, the Superintendent sponsors the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of academic performance during Academy training.
The winner of the “Academic Performance Award” is Trooper Meghan K. Lohman, a 31-year-old resident of Delmar, New York. She is a graduate of Siena College with a Bachelor degree in history. Prior to joining the New York State Police, she was a paralegal with a local law firm. Throughout the Academy training program, she achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 98.1%. She will be assigned to Troop G.
Firearms Proficiency Award
The New York State Trooper Foundation has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of performance in all phases of firearms training.
The winner of the Superintendent’s Firearms Proficiency Award is Trooper Matthew S. Ross age 26, of Hamburg, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he served in the United States Marine Corp for 4 years. During firearms training, he fired an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop F.
Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award
The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa. Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City on March 5th, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a Member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.
The winner of the Joseph T. Aversa Physical Training Award is Trooper Zachary D. Dodge. He is 27 years old and resides in Ogdensburg, New York. Prior to entering the New York State Police Academy, he graduated from LeMoyne College with a Bachelor Degree in Criminology. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 192 Members of the 205th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop B.
Student Representative
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm to the Member of the class who is selected by his or her peers to represent them during these exercises. The PBA presents the award in memory of Trooper John J. McKenna IV, who was killed in action in 2006, while serving his country as a Marine in Iraq.
Trooper Joseph A. Turoski has been chosen as the class representative. He is 29 years old and resides in Voorheesville, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a police officer for four years with the Town of Guilderland Police Department and is a certified drug recognition expert. He will be assigned to Troop F.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Hall in Albany where the new troopers marched into the convention center in a procession lead by the New York State Police Pipe and Drum band. The National Anthem was performed by Trooper Elizabeth Fallon. The ceremony included a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 205th Basic School Session.
Trooper Joseph Turoski – Voorheesville
Trooper Turoski will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper Megan Lohman – Delmar
Trooper Lohman will be assigned to Troop G.
Trooper Zachary Dodge – Ogdensburg
Trooper Dodge will be assigned to Troop B.
Trooper Matthew Ross – Hamburg
Trooper Ross will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper Arron Erickson – Jamestown
Trooper Erickson will be assigned to Troop C.
Trooper Bryan Harris – Watertown
Trooper Harris will be assigned to Troop B.
Trooper Shavon Whyte – Copiague
Trooper Whyte will be assigned to Troop NYC.
Trooper Diana Paredes – Mt. Vernon
Trooper Paredes will be assigned to Troop K.
Trooper Brandon Zakris – New York Mills
Trooper Zakris will be assigned to Troop D.
Trooper Krystie Laurey – Horseheads
Trooper Laurey will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper Dulani Benjamin-Jones – Bronx
Trooper Benjamin-Jones will be assigned to Troop NYC.
Trooper Paul Zandt – Deposit
Trooper Zandt will be assigned to Troop F.
Trooper Erin Lawnizak – Middletown
Trooper Lawnizak will be assigned to Troop F.
The new troopers will report for field duty on May 12, 2017. For the following 10 weeks, the new troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.Below is a list of field training Troop assignments where graduates will begin field duty supervised by senior training officers. Included are the hometowns of the graduates.
Troop B – Plattsburgh
Alibozek Benjamin S Hoosick Falls
Batty Ross M Ballston Lake
Baxter Andrew P Ogdesnburg
Beane Andrew D Malone
Buckley Ryan T West Chazy
Catlin Dylan D Central Square
Clary Cody R Massena
Cumm Anthony E Cadyville
Dodge Zachary D Ogdesnburg
Dragoon Mark W Chazy
Egan Joseph P Malone
Halsey Jacob E Sandy Creek
Harris Bryan M Watertown
Hirschey Justin R Castorland
Hovendon David M Copenhagen
Kiernan Morgan-Taylor E Watertown
Kryszak Brandon R Lancaster
Kurz Kevin R Morrisonville
Lapointe Joseph G Ticonderoga
Latimer Robert L Canton
Longley Caleb J Pulaski
Lyons David J Hudson
Malbeuf Lacey E Harrisville
Manabat Andrew V Plattsburgh
Markwica Christopher L Westport
Marsh Emily K Charlotteville
Mossop Joshua B West Seneca
Pietrzykowski Matthew J East Bethany
Santulli Madeline N Delanson
Sauve Ryan A North Bangor
Seymour Justin M Gouverneur
Sheen Nathan B Gouverneur
Stone Andrew W Norwood
Williams Andrew S Dannemora
Troop C – Sidney
Annarino Robert C Rome
Aubertine Christopher D Camillus
Barnes Spencer S Niagara Falls
Dovi Timothy D Corland
Mazur Jr. Matthew J Marcy
Carney Travis L Newport
Cerretto Rocky J Rochester
Cole Bronson H Rochester
Colling Brett J Derby
Collins Kevin N Orchard Park
Decker Kurt T Wolcott
Erickson Arron J Jamestown
Fox Sean M Hamburg
Gabel Kevin W Lawtons
Johnson John A Mount Morris
Karlsen Jeremy J Churchville
Knighton Corey R Mcgraw
Konfederath Thaddeus B Bliss
Langtry Gregory E Ballston Lake
Lawrence Andrew W Cheektowaga
Maderer Bradley A Alden
Manley Michael E Keuka Park
Manwaring Benjamin J Schenectady
Mazurek Andrew M Williamsville
Nasso Samuel A Caledonia
Novotny Gary M Williamsville
O’Bien II Sean T Hamburg
Radley Brian A Stratford
Konstabel Jesse D Cheektowaga
Slawek Michael M Cheektowaga
Spencer Caroline E Rochester
Villa Jennifer Cheektowaga
Tipple Mark A Walworth
Will Devin J Lee Center
Zongrone Jordan R Utica
Troop D – Oneida
Aurelio-Clark Danielle Lancaster
Carpenter Ryan G Fulton
Caulfield John P West Seneca
Riola Richard C Rochester
Zakris Brandon S New York Mills
Troop E – Canandaigua
Bebak Benjamin R West Seneca
Troop F – Middletown
Baksa Rebecca E East Greenbush
Benedict Alexander M Chester
Nichols John R Addison
Cocuzza Robert J Hopewell Junction
Collins Christopher E Hopewell Junction
Corcoran Brian M Glen Spey
Faggins-Flores David E Scotia
Fitch Andrew J Alexander
Fredrickson John R Jamestown
Giuliano James K Pine Bush
Gorr Joshua M Hurleyville
Hossann George J Slate Hill
Hughes Matthew T Newburgh
Kasper Jamie R Holmes
Kempter Richard R Cropseyville
Kline Scott L Nassau
Kolach III John S Latham
Kuhns Stephen J Skaneateles
Vogel Brittany L Glenmont
Laurey Krystie M Horseheads
Lawnizak Erin M Middletown
Mancino Thomas J East Nassau
Mcdonagh Frank A Coeymans
Miller Jonelle M Windham
Murray Mark M Albany
Nauroth Joshua J Gloversville
O’Neil Stephanie L Selkirk
Reichart Jessica E Buffalo
Knack Kevin J Ghent
Roberts April A Modena
Ross Matthew S Hamburg
Sisilli Gina M Highland
Sleyzak Michael J Bloomingburg
Strickland Benjamin J Kingston
Treacy Conor T Watervliet
Turoski Joseph A Voorheesville
Williams Jr Dominic H Sidney
Wright Corey M Mechanicville
Wrobel Tyler A West Seneca
Zandt Paul M Deposit
Zehnacker Steven D Poughkeepsie
Troop G – Latham
Lohman Meghan K Delmar
McHugh T J Saratoga Springs
Moeller Joseph J Rock City Falls
Mousaw Ryan A Highland
Whitty Edward J Albany
Troop K – Poughkeepsie
Condlin Brady O Yonkers
Domres Jonathan N Hamburg
Filippini Theresa A Poughkeepsie
Kopcza Jaroslaw Yonkers
Kownacki Lukasz Wappingers Falls
Lennon Amanda H Stone Ridge
Mallinson Sean P Harrison
Moore Michael W Germantown
Moran Lynell Amenia
Morris Stacey C Poughkeepsie
Nakelski Raymond J Mahopac
Paredes Diana C Mount Vernon
Pingiczer Cory P Wappingers Falls
Vitale Dominick M Farmingdale
Troop NYC – Manhattan
Rich Curtis C Delmar
Alvarez Rose O Brooklyn
Amodio Tyler T Central Islip
Arellano Ramsey Port Chester
Aviza Skylar L Schenectady
Whyte Schashuna D Copiague
Baroniunas Bryan Massapequa Park
Bautista Ronny M Bronx
Benjamin-Jones Dulani A Bronx
Palomba Mauro Hopewell Junction
Bou Rafael C Carmel
Brown Sarah E Onchiota
Calderon Jonathan Brentwood
Cavanaugh Joseph M Troy
Cornier Calixto J Staten Island
Cox Steve M Bronx
Dalfonso Alexander D Cicero
Demartino James P Oceanside
Derkovitz Martin T Buffalo
Drew Michael W Yonkers
Edenhofer Kenneth C Hilton
Eggleston Jessica J Buffalo
Estrada Jason N Corona
Feind Brett K Cheektowaga
Griffin Sean M Goshen
Hoak Nathan R Tonawanda
Hohler Matthew M Rochester
Horan Michael T Schenectady
Iachetta William M Schenectady
Johnson Michael S Maybrook
Mcmahon Kevin G Mattituck
Mcmahon Meghan T Lindenhurst
Miller Deanna C Seaford
Wielgosz Johanna L Elma
Orejuela Juan G Poughkeepsie
Pisarenko Sergey L Glenmont
Prendergast Devin B Eagle Bridge
Palizay Molly E Akron
Reyes Karina Bronx
Rinaldi John M Clifton Park
Robinson Brandon T Buffalo
Rohde Sean P Poughkeepsie
Saxe Chelsea L Lancaster
Schaeffer Robert J Island Park
Scibelli Peter J Tivoli
Spiconardi George S Armonk
Stark Nathan E South Otselic
Stroman Kenneth T Albany
Tovar Margareth Bay Shore
Traore Rhania Brooklyn
Viti Peter Hopewell Junction
Whelan Brendan L Middletown
Whyte Jermaine A Rosedale
Whyte Shavon A Copiague
Wojdakowski Kamil A Staten Island
Wright Frederick S Mahopac
Yeomans Bradford J Cheektowaga