MAHOPAC, N.Y.—Earlier this month, the Carmel Police Department and Town Board commemorated the annual Police Week, which was established in 1962 by President Kennedy to honor the work and sacrifices made by police officers.
Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann came before the Town Board at its May 14 meeting to announce his department’s Recognition Awards for 2024-25. Here is a look at the recipients:
Lifesaving Award: PO Vincent Serio, PO Anthony Bambach
Incident: Paddleboarder in Distress/Woman Overboard, June 23, 2024, Lake Mahopac
On June 23, at 5:38 p.m., Officer Vincent Serio and Officer Anthony Bambach were on a lake patrol assignment in Marine 1. Conducting a patrol of the lake after a heavy storm had passed through, officers heard a call for help from a paddleboarder in distress who had fallen overboard with her dog and was attempting to stay afloat. The paddleboard had drifted away after striking the woman in the head and she was treading water while unsuccessfully calling for help prior to Marine 1’s arrival. The woman and her dog were brought onboard Marine 1 and safely transported to shore for a medical evaluation.
Meritorious Police Duty: PO Scott Fiske, Det./Sgt. Brian Forde, and Det. Daniel Shea
Incident: Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) x3, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Sept. 7, 2024, South Lake Boulevard
Observing a large gathering at a local establishment for traffic and safety concerns. While monitoring the parking lot, PO Fiske observed a male with what appeared to be a firearm entering a vehicle. The vehicle was then observed committing a traffic violation leaving the lot, and PO Fiske conducted a traffic stop, assisted by Detective Sergeant Brian Forde and Det. Daniel Shea. The three males in the vehicle were found to be illegally in possession of four firearms and a controlled substance.
Meritorious Police Duty/Lifesaving Award: PO William Gabay and PO Justin Goldfine
Excellent Police Duty (Off-Duty): Det. Daniel Shea
Excellent Police Duty: PO Anthony Bambach and Sgt. Stephen McCabe
Narrative: Mutual Aid Response to a Homicide, Oct. 28, 2024, Clayton Boulevard/Route 6 – Town of Somers.
On Oct. 28, at 11:36 p.m., State Police requested CPD assistance at Clayton Boulevard and Route 6 for a shooting with multiple victims. Officers William Gabay and Justin Goldfine were the first CPD officers on scene and began lifesaving medical care to two of the victims before the scene was secured. Sgt. Stephen McCabe arrived shortly thereafter and assisted NYSP in securing the scene and coordinating the investigation. Officer Anthony Bambach and Det. Daniel Shea assisted in the investigation into the whereabouts of the shooter, contributing to his apprehension early the next morning in the Town of Putnam Valley.
Excellent Police Duty: PO Scott Fiske and Det. Daniel Shea
Incident: Criminal Sale of Controlled Substances, Nov. 7, 2024, Putnam Plaza – Route 6.
On Nov. 7, at 10 p.m., Officer Scott Fiske, following up on a prior larceny complaint, discovered that narcotics sales were taking place at the Putnam Plaza Shopping Center. Together with Det. Daniel Shea, these two officers initiated an investigation into these narcotics sales, resulting in the arrest of the dealer for six felony counts for criminal sale and possession of controlled substances, and the recovery of a large amount of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and the proceeds from these narcotics deals.
Letter of Commendation: Sgt. Christopher Fox, PO Michelle Yeager, PO Connor Carroll, PO Vincent DeSantola, K9 Pietro
Incident: Mutual Aid Response to a Homicide, Nov. 9, 2024, East Main Street, Jefferson Valley–Yorktown.
On Nov. 9, at 9:40 p.m., the Yorktown Police Department advised surrounding police agencies of a shooting at East Main Street in Jefferson Valley. The suspect had fled from the scene and had possible ties to the town of Carmel. Sgt. Christopher Fox, Officer Michelle Yeager, Officer Connor Carroll, Officer Vincent DeSantola, and K9 Pietro responded to Yorktown PD’s request for assistance. Officers aided in securing the scene and assisting with the investigation and search for the suspect, who was apprehended later that evening in the confines of New York City.
Excellent Police Duty: PO David Garcia, PO Travis Lash, Det./Sgt. Brian Forde, Det. Devon Sanborn
Incident: Domestic Violence Assault – Large Scale Pursuit, Nov. 27, 2024, Stoneleigh Avenue, Putnam Valley
On Nov. 27, at 10:27 a.m., Carmel Police responded to a domestic violence assault on Stoneleigh Avenue. While approaching the scene, the perpetrator began to flee in a van, refusing to comply with Officer David Garcia and Officer Travis Lash’s attempts to stop him. The fleeing operator continued to drive dangerously, crashing into both Garcia and Lash’s vehicles, as he led CPD and assisting agencies on a three-county pursuit into Dutchess and Westchester counties. The suspect was finally stopped by State Police and taken into custody by Det./Sgt. Brian Forde and Det. Devon Sanborn in Putnam Valley.
Lifesaving Award: PO Justin Goldfine and PO Jake Talbert
Incident: Unresponsive Male, March 2, West Lake Boulevard
On March 2, at 1:21 a.m., Carmel Police were alerted by Putnam County 911 of an unresponsive male at a residence on West Lake Boulevard, with the caller unable to perform CPR. Officers Justin Goldfine and Jake Talbert, arriving within two minutes of the initial dispatch, immediately began lifesaving procedures including performing CPR. Officers continued chest compressions and administered Naloxone before the male was able to regain consciousness. The male was transported conscious and alert to a local hospital for evaluation by EMS.
Lifesaving Award: PO Travis Lash, PO William Gabay (Off-Duty), and PO Thomas Eagan
Incident: Unresponsive Male, March 22, Fabbri Court
On March 22, at 2:38 p.m., Putnam County 911 alerted Carmel Police of an unresponsive male in a vehicle at Fabbri Court and Route 6N. Officer Travis Lash arrived at the scene within one minute and discovered the unresponsive male with no breathing and no pulse. Lash administered Naloxone unsuccessfully and was then assisted by arriving off-duty Officer William Gabay and Officer Thomas Eagan. Officers immediately began CPR compressions and rescue breathing. After approximately two minutes of CPR and rescue breathing, the male regained a pulse and subsequently regained consciousness. The male was transported to a local hospital for treatment by EMS.
Lifesaving Award: Sgt. Laura Whitten, PO Travis Lash, PO William Gabay
Incident: Unresponsive Male, April 8, Route 6, Mahopac Village Center – Planet Fitness
On April 8, at 8:54 a.m., Carmel Police were alerted by Putnam County 911 of an unresponsive male at the Planet Fitness in the Mahopac Village Center on Route 6. Arriving with Carmel Ambulance and Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department units, Sgt. Laura Whitten, Officer Travis Lash, and Officer William Gabay joined a trained gym patron in performing CPR and rescue breathing. The male regained a pulse en route to the hospital and subsequently regained consciousness.
Lifesaving Award: PO William Gabay
Incident: Unresponsive Male, May 11, Ridge Court
On May 11, at 9:09 a.m., Carmel Police were alerted by Putnam County 911 of a male who had passed out, regained consciousness, and was now showing signs of disorientation. PC 911 then updated the male was in cardiac arrest. Within one minute of this report, Officer William Gabay arrived on scene with the paramedic and other EMS units. Gabay immediately began lifesaving aid with EMS. The patient regained a pulse at the scene and began to show additional signs of consciousness while en route to the hospital. Both Sgt. Crecco, PO Gabay’s supervisor, and the paramedic supervisor credit that Gabay’s actions at the scene were critical to the successful resuscitation of the patient.
Top Performing Officers for 2024
Letters of Commendation
Most Overall Arrests: PO Vincent DeSantola
Most Felony Arrests: PO Michelle Yeager
Most DWI Arrests: PO Matthew Valente
Top Traffic Enforcement Officer: PO James Cook
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