• Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes Honors Recipients Of His 18^th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards.

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KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES HONORS RECIPIENTS OF HIS 18^TH ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION AWARDS

 SLAIN POLICE OFFICER RUSSEL TIMOSHENKO TO RECEIVE AWARD

             Brooklyn, May 7, 2008 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the recipients of his 18^th annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards in a ceremony at Brooklyn Law School.  Twenty-two honorees from the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, District Attorney’s Office and NYS Criminal Court were recognized for their bravery, dedication to the job and accomplishments.  They were honored for their outstanding work in keeping Brooklyn safe.  The emcee for the ceremony was Juliet Papa from 1010 WINS Radio. 

             This year’s recipients were selected from a long list of deserving nominees.  Many of this year’s recipients put their lives on the line, day in and day out, to make sure that we are safe and dangerous criminals are taken off the street.  Many of the honorees are very active in the community, guiding and educating our youth.

             Among those honored this year are slain Officer Russell Timoshenko and his partner Officer Herman Yan.  In a high-profile case from July 9, 2007, the officers were on routine patrol in the 71^st Precinct when they observed a suspicious BMW traveling westbound on Lefferts Avenue.  A license plate check was conducted on the computer in the police car, revealing that the license plate did not belong to that car.  The officers then stopped the vehicle.  As the officers exited their vehicle to approach the suspects, gunshots were fired, striking Officer Timoshenko twice, once in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.  More shots were fired in Officer Yan’s direction, striking him in the left forearm and the chest.  Fortunately, Officer Yan was wearing a bullet-proof vest at the time.  After falling to his knees, Officer Yan quickly recovered and returned fire.  The perpetrators fled in their vehicle.  Officer Yan went to assist his partner, radioed for assistance and reported the incident.  Officers Timoshennko and Yan were immediately placed in responding police cars and taken to Kings County Hospital. While en route to the hospital, Officer Yan gave a description of the suspects’ vehicle and the direction in which they were going.  The vehicle was found approximately four blocks from the crime scene.  Three high-powered handguns were recovered and evidence was collected.  A massive investigation ensued which led to an interstate manhunt for the perpetrators.  Within a few days, all three suspects, Dexter Bostic, Robert Ellis and Lee Woods, were apprehended and placed under arrest.  While in intensive care at Kings County Hospital, Officer Timoshenko succumbed to his injuries five days later.  Bostic, Ellis and Woods have since been indicted and are awaiting trial for murder.   

            This year’s honorees also include officers who have been shot and stabbed, an investigator who took down Internet predators who were preying on children, and officers who have implemented programs to get troubled youth off the streets.   

            This year’s award recipients include: 

Lieutenant David Glassberg – Lt. Glassberg is assigned to the Police Service Area 2 Juvenile Robbery Intervention Program (JRIP) where he has been the program’s coordinator since November 2007.  The program consists of a task force formed in January 2007 to address a significant increase in robberies in and around public housing developments in the 73^rd Precinct.  The goal of the program is to put selected youths, who live in public housing in the 73^rd Precinct and who have previously been arrested for robbery, on notice that if their criminal conduct continues, there will be serious consequences.  The other aspect of this program is to provide social services and educational and job opportunities for them and their families.  The task force conducts frequent home and school visits.  This program has been a tremendous success, in large part due to Lt. Glassberg’s involvement.  Robberies in public housing in the 73^rd Precinct have decreased dramatically and the numbers of arrests of youths who participate in the program has also dropped significantly.  Also, at the suggestion of Lt. Glassberg, all the families of youths in the program were given a free turkey by the Police Department on the day before Thanksgiving in 2007. 

Detective Walter Brant – Detective Brant is the Community Affairs Officer in Police Service Area 2.  He is committed to enhancing the quality of community and police relationships.  After the terrorist acts of 9/11, Det. Brant erected the first permanent memorial, which sits in the center of the Louis H. Pink Development.  The memorial consists of six statues dedicated to members of the agencies that gave the ultimate sacrifice.  The statues are surrounded by a tree planted by the community as a declaration of their appreciation for the sacrifices that were made.  Det. Brant also created and hosted an annual bike riding event which is a five-mile bike tour escorted by police officers, designed to bridge the gap between police and the community.  He is also an executive member of DEFY (Drug Education for Youth), which takes kids, from areas where drugs and violence are prevalent, to Floyd Bennett Field for two-week educational program.  There, they are given gifts and food, and are lectured on violence, self-esteem, leadership, gangs and drugs. They are also taken on field trips.  Det. Brant also recently completed a successful fifth season of flag football, in connection with the Police Athletic League, for youths from various housing developments.  In addition, he is currently sponsoring a youth essay contest, challenging youth to explain ways in which they would get illegal guns off the streets.   

Court Officer Gavin Nichols – Court Officer Nichols has been with the Criminal Court since January, 2004.  Aside from excelling in his routine duties as a Court Officer, he is responsible for the success of the St. Raphael’s Sports program for which he is the parish athletic representative.  The program gets approximately 90 children together to play basketball.  Court Officer Nichols serves as a coach for the teams.  He feels that this program is important to keep children active in positive ways and off the streets to avoid a life of crime.  In addition, Court Officer Nichols is a member of the Parish Council which started a youth group for neighborhood children so they would have a place to go on Saturday nights during the winter.  He helped raise thousands of dollars to buy games, a music system and refreshments for the children. 

Detective Angel Cruz – Detective Cruz is assigned to the Police Department’s Transit District 33.  He is recognized for his heroic actions on March 13, 2007.  Officer Cruz was on solo patrol at the Broadway Junction train complex in Brownsville when he observed two males smoking cigarettes.  After obtaining their identification, one of the suspects punched Officer Cruz in the face and stabbed him in the head with a large hunting knife, puncturing his skull and causing a life-threatening injury.  Although seriously injured and bleeding profusely, Officer Cruz managed to fend off his attacker and fire several shots at him with his service weapon.  The suspect attempted to flee and Officer Cruz pursued him, chasing him down a flight of stairs through the train station.  Assisting officers then arrived and detained the suspect.  Officer Cruz was taken to Jamaica Hospital for emergency brain surgery.  After eight months of therapy, Officer Cruz made a successful recovery.  He was determined not to let this incident end his police career.  Police Commissioner Kelly promoted Cruz to Detective on July 31, 2008 for his actions on that day. 

Supervising Fire Marshal (SFM) Bernard Santangelo – Supervisor Santangelo is currently assigned to the Bureau of Fire Investigation’s Citywide South Command in Brooklyn.  He is a 30-year Fire Department veteran, having served in this particular bureau for the last 22 years.  While assigned to the city’s Joint Arson Task Force, Supervising Fire Marshal Santangelo investigated a series of fires in Williamsburg.  While investigating one intentionally set fire at 50 Wallabout Street, he discovered that five other arson fires dating back to 1987 occurred in the same building.  Each incident was connected to one individual who hid behind several “shell” corporations.  Further investigation revealed inflated insurance claims in excess of $5.5 million and other monies being laundered.  Fire Marshal Santangelo had to gain the trust of cooperating witnesses to solve this investigation, which resulted in the arrest of a dangerous individual, who was putting the public at risk and seeking to use arson for profit.  The arsonist is now serving 15 years in federal prison. 

Supervising Detective Investigator Shaun Winter – Supervising Detective Investigator Shaun Winter has been working with the District Attorney’s Office since 1996 where he has conducted many investigations ranging from organized crime to environmental crime.  He currently supervises the DA’s newly formed Computer Crimes Unit.  In this role, he investigates cases involving the on-line enticement of children utilizing the Internet and other computer-assisted crimes. He works closely with organizations including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), an organization for which he has volunteered since 1998.  This volunteer work has included teaching young children, assisting at the annual golf fundraiser, organizing and running benefit basketball games and working the “Mall Booth”, photographing and fingerprinting children for identification cards.  He also teaches older children about safety and the use of the “buddy system.”  In addition to his work with the District Attorney’s Office and the NCMEC, Supervising Detective Investigator Winter is an adjunct professor at the Katherine Gibbs School in NYC where he teaches young adults about criminal law and its role in society 

Police Officers Devin Long and Ashland Menelas – Officers Long and Menelas demonstrated valor and keen observation in nabbing a dangerous armed felon on Christmas Day.  On December 25, 2007, the officers who were relatively new to the force, were performing routine patrol duties when they heard several gunshots coming from the vicinity of East 45^th Street and Glenwood Road.  Disregarding their safety, they headed straight for the location where they believed the shots were fired.  They observed a male that matched a witness’ description of the perpetrator running north on East 45^th Street, fleeing from the scene of the crime.  The officers were told by witnesses that someone had been shot.  The officers gave chase, observing the suspect discard his firearm.  They did not lose sight of this individual and eventually apprehended him and recovered the gun.  Further investigation revealed that the perpetrator had earlier been denied entry into the nearby “Tropical Reflections” nightclub, so he shot the bouncer several times.  The perpetrator, Kinston Dubarry, had a criminal record including one arrest for another nightclub-related incident.  He is now awaiting trial for Attempted Murder.  The officers apprehended a dangerous criminal who likely would have continued his violent string of behavior.  

Police Officers Keisha Durrant and Andriy Ryabinin –   On December 6, 2007, Officers Durrant and Ryabinin, assigned to the 63^rd Precinct, responded to a radio call for help at a residence on East 52^nd Street.  Upon arriving at the location, the officers heard a child screaming from the second floor.  As they entered the location, they smelled a strong odor of marijuana and observed several males smoking marijuana through the front window.  The officers noticed seven bundles of marijuana in plain view on the floor and in the presence of minors.  Everyone in the room was arrested.  Next, the officers obtained a search warrant, and upon execution of that search warrant, they recovered two firearms from the house as well as scales, drug paraphernalia and several bags of marijuana.  Eleven people in total were arrested.  The officers acted in a calm, professional manner and rescued children from a hazardous environment.   

Police Officers Rory Mangra and Erik Merizalde – Officers Mangra and Merizalde, assigned to the 78^th Precinct, have made many quality arrests and had a positive impact on the quality of life for the residents of Park Slope.  They demonstrated their dedication to protecting the public on March 27, 2007 when they encountered two males standing in the vicinity of 446 Dean Street.  One of the individuals was smoking a marijuana cigarette.  As Officer Mangra exited his vehicle and approached the two males, one of them began to run.  Officer Mangra pursued him on foot as Officer Merizalde pulled his RMP onto the sidewalk to block the perpetrator’s path.  Officer Mangra then attempted to apprehend the perpetrator, Kingsley Newland, when the suspect put up a struggle.  Newland then pointed a gun at Officer Mangra who fearlessly pushed the perpetrator’s arm downward.  Newland fired one shot, hitting Officer Mangra in the leg.  Officer Merizalde then struck the perpetrator with his hands, knocking the firearm onto the sidewalk.  Then the two officers were able to subdue the suspect and place him under arrest.   

Police Officer Avia Hunt – Officer Hunt has been with the 68^th Precinct since 2001 where she has been assigned to patrol, crime analysis and her current position as the Youth Officer.  Officer Hunt displays great enthusiasm while working with the youth of the community, educating them and keeping them off the streets and out of trouble.  Officer Hunt also coordinates the Command’s Explorer program where participants become involved in projects such as graffiti clean-ups, meals on wheels, clothes drives, visiting senior centers and performing as the color guard at various ceremonies.  Officer Hunt also takes time out of her busy schedule to escort neighborhood youths to professional sports events, softball games, museums, bowling, swimming and picnics. In addition, she regularly gives lectures at schools to parents and teachers, and the Cub Scouts.  Officer Hunt was named the New Post Advisor/Youth Officer of the Year for 2006.   

Police Officers Raul Muniz and Rahim Morris – Officers Muniz and Morris have been exemplary members of the Midnight Conditions/Anti-Crime Team for the 83^rd Police Precinct.  Officer Muniz led the 83^rd Precinct in gun arrests, having made seven gun arrests on five incidents, recovering seven guns.  He also arrested three people for a carjacking and had four separate arrest incidents for Grand Larceny Auto.  He also made numerous arrests for graffiti.  Officer Morris led his team and his tour in arrests in 2007.  He made 12 arrests for robbery on three incidents and was instrumental in the apprehension of four perpetrators, closing out several cases also for robbery.  He arrested six perpetrators on two incidents for burglary and apprehended two for graffiti on two dates.  Officer Morris also arrested two more perpetrators for guns on two dates.  Both officers contributed to over 200 arrests for the Conditions/Anti-Crime Team in 2007.  They also play a significant role in training some of the newer, less-experienced officers.   

Police Officer Samuel Sexton – Officer Sexton is a 24-year veteran of the NYPD.  In 2001, Officer Sexton became the 79^th Precinct Auxiliary Coordinator and Explorer Post 2079 Advisor.  In these roles, he encouraged other officers to get more involved in the community.  For the past five years, the Explorer Post 2079 has been in the top five citywide for community service as well as the top five for citywide exploring contacts.  Officer Sexton has actively participated in many civic and educational activities and organizations which sought to benefit the lives of those in the community.  Some of these organizations include the NYC Parks Department, Marcy Police Athletic League and 79^th Precinct Youth Council.  Officer Sexton has received many awards in recognition of his service with these programs.   

Detectives Michael Corvi, Frank Sarrica and Hassan Elci – Detectives Corvi, Sarrica and Elci from the Detectives’ Endowment Association were involved in a shootout with a violent criminal  on the FBI’s most wanted list for shooting a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia.  On January 1, 2008, the detectives were conducting narcotics enforcement when they observed a suspicious man enter a bodega and then a short while later, exit while nervously looking up and down the street.  He was fidgeting with a lump on his side which these detectives knew to be a sign of a possible concealed weapon.  As the suspect, Darin John Richardson, walked down Belmont Avenue, the detectives began to approach him, when he fled.  The detectives pursued him and ordered him to stop.  Richardson then drew his firearm and pointed it at Det. Corvi.  Det. Corvi fired a shot at the suspect and dove for cover behind a parked vehicle as Detectives Sarrica and Elci continued their pursuit.  Det. Sarrica fired five shots while Richardson still had his weapon aimed at Det. Corvi.  Det. Corvi then rejoined the pursuit as the officers continued to demand that the suspect drop his weapon.  The suspect eventually collapsed on the ground and the officers were able to apprehend him.   

Detective Thomas Howell – Detective Howell is assigned to the DA’s Office Squad.  He has had an impressive career in law enforcement dating back to 1983 when he entered the NYPD.  He was first assigned to the 52^nd Precinct in the Bronx before being assigned to the Auto Crime Division in 1986 where he worked to combat auto theft and insurance fraud.  He was then promoted to Detective 3^rd Grade in April, 1988.  In January 1990, he was transferred to the Intelligence Division and was attached to the Mayor’s Personnel Security Detail.  He was also promoted to Detective 2^nd Grade in November 1993.  Det. Howell came to the DA’s Office in 1995 where he has worked on many high profile gambling cases involving wire-taps and surveillance.  He was assigned to District Attorney Hynes’ Personnel Security Detail in 1997. 

Contact:  Sandy Silverstein
                 718-250-2300