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CONGRATS TO THE 204TH CLASS OF NYS TROOPERS

Governor Cuomo Announces 204th Session Graduation from the State Police Basic School

More Than 200 Troopers Graduate From Across New York State

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently congratulated 226 new members of the New York State Police on their graduation from the 204th session of the New York State Police Academy's Basic School.

"After 26 weeks of hard work and perseverance, these Troopers will join the honorable tradition of serving and protecting the people of New York," Governor Cuomo said. "I commend these men and women for their pledge to keep New Yorkers safe and congratulate them as they start their careers in the New York State Police."

AUDIO PHOTOS

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 led by the New York State Police Pipe and Drum band. The National Anthem was performed by Trooper Elizabeth Fallon and the ceremony included a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 204th Basic School Session.

"Six months ago these outstanding men and women answered the call to serve, and after the rigors of training they are ready to join one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the world," said Lieutenant Governor Hochul. "This class chose the motto ‘Protecting New York to the core, we are the 204’, and nothing could speak more to their courage and sense of dedication. I’m honored to take part in today’s commencement, and wish all the graduates the very best as they enter an exciting and noble profession."

"After months of training, the 204th Basic School join the ranks of one of the finest police agencies in the world," said New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. "For nearly 100 years the State Police have served and protected the citizens of New York. I congratulate all of our new Troopers and thank them for their continued dedication to the State Police and the people of New York."

In addition to honoring all graduates from the 204th 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 Joseph A. Sparacino, a 27-year-old resident of Tonawanda, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a Police Officer with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 99.3. He will be assigned to Troop E.

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 Michael R. Beck, age 30, of Auburn, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he served as a corporal for nine years with the Cayuga County Sherriff’s Office. During firearms training, he fired an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop D.

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 Jeffrey Blazek. He is 27 years old and resides in New Hartford, New York. Prior to entering the New York State Police Academy, he graduated from Utica College with a Bachelor Degree in Economic Crime Investigation. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 226 Members of the 204th 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 Avery Katz has been chosen as the class representative. He is 34 years old and resides in Yorktown Heights, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently an Executive Officer in the United States Marine Core Reserves. He will be assigned to Troop F.

Video sound bites with the members listed directly below are available on the New York State Police YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/nyspolice.

Trooper Joseph Sparacino – Tonawanda
Trooper Sparacino will be assigned to Troop E.

Trooper Daniel Arcadi – St. Regis Falls
Trooper Arcadi will be assigned to Troop B.

Trooper Arron Whitney – Endwell
Trooper Whitney will be assigned to Troop C.

Trooper Jeffrey Blazek – New Hartford
Trooper Blazek will be assigned to Troop B.

Trooper Olivia Beck – Rochester
Trooper Beck will be assigned to Troop D.

Trooper Edward Donohue – Middletown
Trooper Donohue will be assigned to Troop F.

Trooper James Oliveto - Ballston Spa
Trooper Oliveto will be assigned to Troop K.

Trooper Avery Katz – Yorktown Heights
Trooper Katz will be assigned to Troop F.

Trooper Kyle Shillingford – West Hempstead
Trooper Shillingford will be assigned to Troop F.

The new troopers reported for field duty on October 20, 2016. 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

Daniel J. Albee

Hudson Falls

Daniel K. Arcadi

Saint Regis Falls

Kurt W. Becker

East Meadow

Matthew C. Bishop

Dickinson Center

Jeffrey A. Blazek

New Hartford

Brendan G. Bolis

Canton

Alfred M. Brassard

Champlain

Ryan J. Carrow

Potsdam

Dylan K. Dawson

Lake Clear

James D. Dew

Ithaca

Salvatore C. Dilegge III

Bay Shore

Brandon M. Drews

Hamburg

Mark D. Eggleston

Plattsburgh

Joshua E. Gushlaw

Plattsburgh

Shane R. Harridan

Chateaugay

David Hennessy

Nassau

Kale C. Hitchman

Madrid

Derek E. Jubert

Altona

Ryan J. Kennedy

Albany

Zackery M. Leader

Lake Placid

Derrick A Leonard

Black River

Taylor A. McCarthy

Watkins Glen

Christopher Meliti

Scarsdale

Kayla L. Messier

Troy

Michael L. Milbauer

Bayshore

Joseph Mistretta

Shirley

Erin W. Mulcahy

South Glens Falls

David A. Nash

Latham

Juan D. Olarte

Rensselaer

Kevin D. Peterson Jr.

Buffalo

Alex C. Phelps

Amsterdam

Kimberly M. Pikarsky

Clay

Joshua M. Porcell

Latham

Joseph T. Port

Queensbury

Joshua W. Prashaw

Norfolk

Ryan C. Reid

Morrisonville

Jeremy Reynolds

Cornwall-on-Hudson

Michael B. Roman

Watertown

Craig M. Samiof

Troy

Srdjan Simic

Buffalo

Matthew A. Stivala

Yonkers

Alex E. Stuart

Tupper Lake

Aaron W. F. Sulkey

Queensbury

Charles E. Szablewski II

Queensbury

Jennifer Terpstra

Gouverneur

Dustin J. Thomas

Dexter

Jasmin Veiz

Utica

Maurice H. Walker

Bronx

Bradford T. Wiggins

Manlius

Shawn M. Windoloski

Bombay

Angela Yacobucci

Henderson

Troop C – Sidney

Sean M. Ancker

Rochester

Joshua R. Bannister

Blasdell

Michael R. Boice

Buffalo

Brian D. Brinkman

Williamsville

Diane K. Caraballo

Rochester

Jake T. Catalano

Fredonia

Adam Cernauskas

Richmondville

Mark A. Ciccotti

Horseheads

Jennifer Daignault

Rome

Samantha L. Dayton

Tonawanda

Andrew N. Dlugosz

Lackawanna

Nicholas K. Dziamba

Troy

Paul A. Evans

Elma

Christopher R. Gibbs

Bernhards Bay

Daniel J. Goldrick

Nyack

Dylan R. Goodrich

Elma

Samantha Hartmann

Remsen

Edward T. Hernandez

Oneonta

Matthew M. Hourihan

West Seneca

Michael D. Kline

Liverpool

Matthew J. Kowal

Dunkirk

Jenna M. Kozel

Amherst

Herbert Maldonado

Central Islip

Ryan J. McConnon

Canandaigua

Justin C. Miller

Guilford

Jevon C. Pakkala

Newfield

Mariella C. Pantano

Buffalo

Derek T. Peschieri

Greenfield Center

Aaron D. Quinitchett

Elmira

Shaun M. Reynolds

Lockport

Daniel H. Schuler

Holland

Matthew P. Schwandt

North Tonawanda

Keith G. Sciarratta

Rochester

Cory A. Sprague

Clinton

Justin P. Statt

Rochester

Tyler J. Stevens

Depew

Rachel R. Stockholm

Fairport

Nathan C. Strange

Johnson City

Andrea M. Swanger

Rochester

Christopher M. Thayer

Dolgeville

Eric J. Tomczak

Cheektowaga

Cody C. Towner

Batavia

Adam T. Vargeson

Corning

Carolina Vergara

Yonkers

Joseph F. Vogel

Buffalo

Jared Vonderheide

Goshen

Aaron R. Whitney

Endwell

Cansu Zaim

West Hempstead

Troop D – Oneida

Olivia R. Beck

Auburn

Michael R. Beck

Auburn

Andrew P. Caldiero

Buffalo

Jason T. Cleason

Hamburg

Jeffrey J. Gmerek

Cheektowaga

Nathan M. Horner

Liverpool

Waleed Javed

Seneca Falls

Jacob W. Klock

Wellsville

Richard T. Kosakowski

Lee Center

Drew H. Lewandowski

Tonawanda

Brian E. Locastro

Auburn

Eric M. Lojba

Herkimer

David W. Lyubezhanin

Oriskany

Kyle J. Meyers

Penn Yan

Timothy K. Nanry

Rochester

Kyle M. Ready

Boonville

Donald T. Schug III

Camillus

Eric L. Sherman

Oswego

Michael T. Siegfried

Utica

William J. Siwy III

Derby

Kyle L. Smith

Wolcott

Ronald J. Solem

Hamburg

Justin B. Weakley

Cold Brook

Christopher Wyant

Lockport

Troop E – Canandaigua

Peter M. Koschuk

Lancaster

Robert F. Leunig

East Northport

Steven H. Papponetti

Albion

Zachary S. Penhollow

West Seneca

Joseph A. Sparacino

Tonawanda

Troop F – Middletown

Brian T. Anderson

Massapequa

Chanel D. Beasley

Uniondale

Anthony G. Bluman

Schaghticoke

Megan A. Bologna

Stillwater

Meg H. Brown

Lindenhurst

Arielle A. Caban

Montgomery

Robert J. Casino

Scotia

Staci N. Chadwick

Troy

George A. Cook

Sparkill

Connor B. Cornine

Campbell Hall

Nicholas A. D’Angelo

Mount Sinai

Kyle I. Dawson

Monroe

John M. Degregoria II

Glasco

Kalyn M. Deso

Schenectady

William C. DiDiego

Wappingers Falls

James L. Di Stasi

Highland

Edward N. Donohue

Middletown

Sean M. Drown

Neversink

Samantha A. Gau

Pine Bush

Andrew Giga

New City

Robert E. Glas

Pine Bush

Thomas P. Goebeler

Smithtown

James E. Gomiela

Rockville Center

Alexander J. Grant

South Floral Park

Cody W. Harder

Hurley

Blake A. Hasbrouck

Middletown

Massiel Hernandez

Bronx

Kevin A. Jacks

Westtown

Kristina M. Jenkins

Slingerlands

Kenneth L. Kadar

Coram

Avery Katz

Yorktown Heights

Daniel J. Kokulak

Bardonia

Lauren A. Krogh

Troy

Zenel S. Lulanaj

Valhalla

Dominic Mangiapane

Locust Valley

Cameron R. Manley

Fort Plain

Nicole E. Mannino

Selden

Shane T. McLoughlin

Washingtonville

Colleen E. McNamara

White Plains

Thomas J. Mozer

Glen Cove

Curt J. Natalizio

Port Jervis

Claris Ortiz

Yonkers

Gabrielle A. Platt

Wurtsboro

Cory D. Quimby

Middletown

Ronald Raymond

Suffern

Daniel J. Ritz

Altamont

Jessica Romero

Brooklyn

Catherine J. Savoia

Haverstraw

Brittany L. Schurko

Lagrangeville

Kyle S. Shillingford

West Hempstead

Taylor A. Simpson

Livingston Manor

Brandon D. Smith

Livingston Manor

Adam Szlejter

Riverhead

Adrian Szlejter

Riverhead

Joshua T. Thomsen

Schenectady

Robert A. Troy II

Seaford

Nathan H. Valle

Saugerties

John G. White

Schenectady

Jason T. Wurtz

Gardiner

Troop G – Latham

Michael W. Flynn

Saratoga Springs

Ashley J. Puro

Cobleskill

Daniel J. Riggi

Scotia

Brian C. Torres

Albany

Jonathan H. Vanwie

Hagaman

Troop K – Poughkeepsie

Romel Arias

Albany

Tatiana I. Bedoya

Bronx

Dean M. Borgese

Smithtown

Leonard J. Brown IV

New Lebanon

Meghan A. Calhoun

Union Springs

Carlo G. Castro

Bronx

Carmine F. Coglitore

Bronx

Robert Costa

Wappingers Falls

Christopher J. Fitton

East Patchogue

James P. Flynn-Kocourek

East Meadow

John R. Havens

Hampton Bays

Kyle T. Jackson

Port Cehster

Tyler W. Knapp

Mahopac

Justin M. LaVarnway

Plattsburgh

Gregory W. Lewis

East Nassau

Leonard D. Lynott

East Hampton

Chad M. Martin

Lowman

Christopher C. Mastroianni

Levittown

Ryan J. McCabe

Massapequa Park

John E. Moore

Germantown

James D. Oliveto

Ballston Spa

Joseph E. Penniman

Thornwood

Francis W. Rush IV

Putnam Valley

William J. Ryan

Levittown

Paul J. Sabo

Levittown

Alison C. Sanzi

Hudson

Cody Scales

Port Jervis

Jacalyn M. Sommer

Massapequa

Andrew P. Stamatis

Fresh Meadows

Aaron Tiso

Hopewell Junction

Fotini Vartholomeos

Commack

Stephen D. Wrobel

East Patchogue

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