Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Officers awarded for going the ‘extra mile' for everyone's safety

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) honors 17 members of the Park Police for extraordinary service provided to the people of New York State over the past year. Award recipients are recognized for demonstrating professionalism, integrity, dedication and excellence.

"I am proud of our Division of Law Enforcement and its staff of highly trained specialists, dedicated to preserving a peaceful and safe park environment for everyone," said OPRHP Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. "I am thankful for Governor Hochul's strong commitment to public safety and our Park Police by addressing geographical pay discrepancies, bringing back the park police academy and increasing the resources needed to keep people safe. Our Park Police unique training allows them to identify and address sensitive situations and today's awards are a perfect example of that dedication and their highly trained abilities."

Park Police Chief Michael Daddona said, "The men and women we honor today are an example of constant training and response that keep our parks and historic sites safe. Whether it's a patron complaint, a person in distress or in need of medical assistance or reuniting a family, we act quickly to help people across the state. It is this type of police work, pushing to go the extra mile, that help keep our patrons safe."

Seventeen members of the Park Police department were honored at the Park Police Academy in Rensselaerville on January 28, 2025. Awards include Medal of Merit, Lifesaving Medal, commendations from the Director of Law Enforcement. See our Flickr album here.

Medal of Merit

• Officer Jeffrey Wissert prevented an uncooperative man armed with a metal pipe from harming himself and others at Hempstead Lake State Park on July 22, 2024.

Lifesaving Awards

• June 12, 2024, Sergeants Andrew Donato and James Kellegher and Officers Benjamin Smedman, Ryan Gibbs and Anthony Cooper responded to a fiery motorcycle accident, just outside Bear Mountain State Park. In mere moments, they put out the fire and helped the victim including applying a tourniquet to control the bleeding.

• July 24, 2024, at Artpark, Officer Casey Nyhart performed CPR on a man unresponsive and not breathing until paramedics arrived.

• July 27, 2024, Officer Kevin Cramer performed CPR on an unconscious woman at the Maid of the Mist. Found not breathing and with no pulse, Cramer attached AED pads onto the patient and began CPR.

Director of Law Enforcement's Commendation Awards

• January 30, 2024, Officer Robert Costanzo helped a Niagara County Sheriff's Officer in Youngstown, NY, search and evacuate an apartment during a fire.

• June 9, 2024, at Buffalo Harbor State Park, Officers Robert Costanzo and Jason Walsh arrested three people under age 21 on drug, alcohol and gun charges. They were found parked in the playground parking lot after hours.

• July 19, 2024, at Niagara Falls State Park, Officer Nathan Sibenik jumped into the rapids to save a woman who intended to end her life.

• July 24, 2024, at Artpark, Officer Thomas LoTempio used an AED on a man found unresponsive and not breathing until paramedics arrived.

• October 10, 2024, Officer Daniel McCarthy helped a Suffolk County Officer subdue a suspect during a dangerous encounter on Orchard Drive, Kings Park.

• October 10, 2024, a team of Sergeant Christopher Greene, Officers Jesse Caprotti, Anthony Scesny and dispatcher Carolann Lewis – found an unoccupied vehicle after hours at Saratoga Spa State Park. It belonged to a wanted sex offender with suspected suicidal tendencies from Western New York. They found him in a tent with a weapon but were able to take him into custody.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518-474-0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.