6 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 4, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com 111th Precinct honors the year’s top cops in Bayside BY ALINA SURIEL asuriel@queenscourier.com/@alinangelica The 111th Precinct and the precinct’s Community Council honored its hardest working offi cers during their annual award ceremony on June 2 at the Best Western of Northern Boulevard in Bayside. “I think we have one of the highest calibers of offi cers in the City of New York, with one of the lowest crime precincts,” said Jack Fried, president of the 111th Precinct Council, who added that cops in the area go far beyond the basic requirements of their job. “Every offi cer here puts himself out there.” Sgt. Kenneth Ho was named as the 2015 Supervisor of the Year, Det. Erika Madden was recognized as Detective of the Year, and P.O. Mario Cappuccia was honored as Police Offi cer of the Year. After receiving recognition for the high caliber of his work as a police supervisor, Sgt. Ho refl ected on his personal growth during his decade-long career, saying that the emotional weight of being a police offi cer has taught him to be more careful with his own decisions. “Being a police offi cer, I think, is a great responsibility,” From left: Sgt. Kenneth Ho, Mario Cappuccia, Det. Ericka Madden, Peter Kim, Leon Pallas. Leon Pallas. As the only honoree still attending classes in high school, Explorer of the Year Peter Kim looked ahead to a future in public safety as a state trooper. The Bayside High School sophomore said that helping people makes him feel great and is why he knew law enforcement was the perfect career for him. “One of the main reasons is to protect the entire community,” Kim said. “Even though that does sound corny, that is what I’m going forward to do.” FREEFREEFREE THE COURIER/Photo by Alina Suriel Saturday, June 13 • 12pm – 3pm PS 130 200-01 42nd Ave Bayside,(b/t Francis Lewis Queens Blvd & 201 st) Bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, house wares, electronics, books & toys that you no longer need. 212.788.0227 In Partnership With Recycle@GrowNYC.org GrowNYC.org/Swap nyc.gov/recycle No furniture or large items. Take home something new-to-you, free! You don’t have to bring something to take something. said Ho. “For the people that we serve every day and also but for the people that we work with.” Cappuccia said he still loves his work after three years on the job. “We try to make a difference in the community, making sure nobody gets hurt, nobody gets killed, people aren’t hurting themselves as well,” said Cappuccia, a fi rst-generation police offi cer who works the midnight shift. Awards were given to civilian participants in the 111th Precinct as well. Diana Merchan was honored as Civilian of the Year, along with Explorer of the Year Peter Kim and Auxiliary Offi cer of the Year BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. with this ad. • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds Nobody Beats Our Prices! • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 6/12/15 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 6/12/15 $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 6/12/15 GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE SERVING QUEENS AND LONG ISLAND 1.800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com Pallas said that he was motivated to be a part of the 111th Precinct after seeing Hurricane Sandy have a devastating effect on some in the community in 2012. The NYPD Explorer program gives youths an opportunity to volunteer and learn more about pursuing a law enforcement career. “I was lucky,” Pallas said. “I didn’t have any damage, I didn’t have anything wrong, so I thought that since I have capabilities, I want to be able to help people.”
QC06042015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above