Southern Tier Police Week events announced

The Southern Tier Law Enforcement Memorial Association (STLEMA) recently announced events associated with the 36th Annual Police Memorial Week, which runs the week of April 29 through May 5.

Retired Johnson City Police Officer and STLEMA President, Paul Burnett, along with Vestal Police Chief, John Butler, Vestal Sergeant Detective Chris Steno and retired Binghamton Police Detective, Dan Correl, spoke to reporters at a press conference held on April 23 at the Vestal Memorial Park. 

STLEMA announced in their news release, “Given the current climate in the nation, it is especially important that we take the time to recognize law enforcement for the work they do, and honor those that gave their lives so that others may live peacefully.”

Burnett explained that STLEMA’s Police Memorial Week focuses on the seven counties that encompass Troop C, which include Tioga, Broome, Chenango, Tompkins, Cortland, Otsego and Delaware, and stated, “We remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty for the community, as well as honor those who are currently working.” 

Attending the press conference was Mrs. Renee Rossi, widow of Port Dickinson Police Officer, Aldo A. Rossi, Jr., who was killed in the line of duty ten years ago.

In addition to his work in Port Dickinson, Officer Rossi had also served with the Deposit Police Department. Rossi, age 42, was struck by a drunk driver on Route 7 while waiting for a Department of Transportation truck to remove a tree that had fallen across the roadway after a storm, and succumbed to fatal injuries.  

Mrs. Rossi commented, “Aldo had a love for his community and his heart was in law enforcement.”

Mrs. Rossi added that her goal is to keep her husband’s memory alive, along with others who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and she is grateful for the ongoing support from the police community.  

Kicking off the week will be a non-denominational church service on April 29 at 3 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul/Blessed Sacrament Church located at 165 Clifton Blvd. in Vestal, N.Y. A N.Y.S. Police Honor Guard, along with a bag piper and area police officers will be present as a roll call of the deceased is read and candles are lit in memory of officers who died in the line of duty.

On April 30, starting at 10:45 a.m. a motorcade of marked police vehicles will ride through Endicott and Vestal to the Vestal Memorial Park for a memorial service and flag raising ceremony. The ceremony features guest speaker, Tioga County Sheriff Gary W. Howard, a roll call of fallen police officers and the Edward P. Maloney Pipe Band.

On May 1, a Memorial Breakfast will be held at Binghamton’s Holiday Day Arena where Mrs. Renee Rossi will be the guest speaker. Two students who are matriculated in Criminal Justice courses will be presented with scholarship awards, and other recognition awards will be announced. The following day, May 2, features the 18th annual Police Week golf tournament at The Links at Hiawatha Landing in Apalachin.  

During May 4 through 5, police displays and demonstrations will be held at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City where the public is welcome to visit the traveling Memorial Wall and K-9 display, as well as meet local law enforcement. A child safety seat installation will be held on May 5 starting at 11 a.m.

Local police departments hold annual awards presentations during May, and in Tioga County, Sheriff Howard shared that during the week of May 14, pin award ceremonies and employee recognition events will be held.

Also in Tioga County, Isaac Wiltse and Forrest A. Hall, both of Owego, and Elmer Beers of Waverly, all police officers who died in the line of duty, are remembered.