Updated on Wednesday, June 10 at 2:05 p.m.
Under clear skies and a warm breeze, members of the Yorktown Police Department gathered Monday evening at Granite Knolls Pavilion to recognize officers and civilians for exemplary service and acts of courage.
“There's nothing more that I enjoy than celebrating the outstanding police work that the men and women of the Yorktown Police Department do on a day in and day out basis,” Chief of Police Robert Noble told the crowd sat in the pavilion.
“Just extraordinary feats of courage, bravery, intelligence, empathy, you name it,” Noble said. “It's part of what we do every day, but certain cases rise to the level that deserve recognition, and that's why we are here tonight.”
The ceremony honored outstanding police work and included two civilian awards.
It was Father's Day 2025, and Sgt. Timothy Curtin, a father of four, was working a shift when he, Detective Colin Houlihan and Officer Michael Campion were dispatched to a local shopping center for a report of a man who had been attacked by someone with a knife.
Curtin, along with Detective Colin Houlihan and Officer Michael Campion, was dispatched to a local shopping center for a report of a man who had been attacked by someone with a knife.
While he approached the location, Curtin observed a man matching the description crossing Route 202 near BJ's Wholesale Club. Curtin immediately stopped his vehicle, positioned himself in a place of tactical advantage and confronted the suspect as he crossed the roadway toward a nearby Chase Bank.
The man complied with Curtin's orders. When Curtin instructed him to remove his hands from his pockets, the suspect complied and revealed a large kitchen knife in his left hand. Curtin immediately drew his service weapon and ordered the suspect to the ground, Noble said.
"Remaining calm, and using clear and concise verbal commands, Sgt. Curtin had the suspect throw the knife to the ground, and he instructed the subject to lie on his stomach and the subject thankfully complied," Noble said, adding that Curtin was able to take the man into custody without further incident.
Noble said the award is a prestigious recognition that few officers receive.
"Sergeant Curtin is being commended for his quick response to the scene, locating the subject, and remaining calm during the encounter, ensuring the public's safety and making the arrest," Noble said.
"But to go along with excellent training, you need the proper demeanor and mindset when you're faced with a very, very stressful situation," Noble said.
Noble said Curtin, who serves as president of the Police Benevolent Association, earned praise for his quick, calm response that defused a potentially deadly encounter and led to the peaceful arrest of a knife-wielding suspect.
“This Meritorious Police Duty Award is so very well deserved,” Noble said.
Officers Guillermo Lizarzaburu and Domenico Dinotte were awarded Life Saving Awards for their police work on Jan. 17, 2025.
That day, officers were dispatched to Jefferson Village for a report of an 84-year-old man who was unconscious but breathing. Upon arrival, the officers found the man was no longer breathing. Noble said they immediately began CPR, utilizing an AED in an attempt to restore his heartbeat. They were able to regain a pulse, and the man was transported for further care.
Noble said performing CPR on an elderly subject can sometimes be dangerous for the victim, “as you are likely to break ribs if performing CPR properly.”
“That AED, and the officer's training on how to use it and how to perform CPR, absolutely save this gentleman's life,” Noble said. “One of the most powerful things that you can do in this profession is to save the life of another.”
Officers Brandon Schmelmer and Carl Nuccilli were also awarded Life Saving Awards for their response on Nov. 23, 2025. They were dispatched to Route 35 for a report of a suicidal man. The officers located the subject in the town of Somers and were advised to continue responding to the scene, according to Noble.
When they arrived, they observed the man sitting on a guardrail speaking with a Somers officer. He then intentionally fell backward into the water from a height of about 30 to 40 feet.
“Officer Schmelmer and Officer Nuccilli, without hesitation, went down to the water, a steep incline and decline, and pulled the subject out to ensure his safety,” Noble said. “The officers’ decisive actions saved the life of the subject that day.”
Sgt. Timothy Curtin, Detective Michael Caprio, Detective Daniel Curtis, Officer Brandon Montero, Officer Guillermo Lizarzaburu, Officer Madison Cora and Officer Ashley Sacaza earned Excellent Police Duty Awards for their work on Feb. 8.
Cora and Sacaza responded to a call regarding a suicidal subject. Noble said the officers immediately began canvassing the area for the subject’s vehicle, while detectives attempted to locate it by pinging his cell phone.
Montero located the parked vehicle in a parking lot. Officers were unable to see inside due to heavily tinted windows and attempted to verbally communicate with the subject inside the vehicle. While attempting to communicate with the individual, Caprio observed a hose attached to the tailpipe of the vehicle leading into the interior.
“At this point, the officers quickly developed a plan. The officers were able to approach the vehicle using a ballistic shield, breaking a driver’s window to gain entry into the vehicle,” Noble said. “They did this, not knowing whether this subject was armed. Only knowing that he was willing to take his life.”
Officers extracted the individual from the vehicle. Montero handcuffed the subject, and officers provided oxygen and administered first aid until he could be treated by medical personnel. Officers deemed the scene safe for other first responders to assist.
“The officers’ quick thinking and actions saved this individual’s life,” Noble said.
Sgt. John Doherty and officers Brandon Schmelmer and Carl Nuccilli earned an Excellent Police Duty Award for their work on Jan. 28.
Yorktown police were advised by the Westchester County Real Time Crime Center of a wanted vehicle in the jurisdiction for fleeing a traffic stop initiated by the New York State Police.
Nuccilli located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Schmelmer and Doherty arrived on the scene to assist. The operator then fled the scene.
A vehicle pursuit ensued into the towns of Somers and Carmel. Officers were eventually able to stop the vehicle with assistance from the New York State Police, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Carmel Police Department.
The operator fled on foot, and Doherty, Schmelmer and Nuccilli gave chase and apprehended the subject. The subject was wanted for bail jumping stemming from an original charge of second-degree rape in Utica. The subject was ultimately charged by the Yorktown Police Department.
“These three officers that stand before you show no hesitation. They chased a felon, and when he got out of the car, the chase just started and they ran him down like dogs,” Noble said. “Good job, fellas. Excellent police work.”
Detective James Hannigan was awarded an Excellent Police Duty Award for his work from April 13, 2025, through January 2026.
On April 13, 2025, Yorktown police responded to the scene of a fatal drug overdose. During the investigation, detectives recovered multiple glassine envelopes containing a substance later identified as fentanyl. Hannigan took charge of the investigation.
Hannigan accessed the victim’s cell phone and analyzed applications on the device. Through an in-depth review, he identified suspicious text messages and Cash App transactions involving an individual suspected of selling drugs to the victim.
Hannigan collaborated with the Westchester County Police Forensic Unit to obtain additional data from the victim’s home. Using information from the phone — including texts, photos, call records, Cash App transactions and social media — Hannigan identified a suspect and determined the time and location in New York City where the victim and suspect met for a drug transaction shortly before the overdose.
Hannigan also obtained surveillance footage from a nearby bank in the Bronx that confirmed the meeting and transaction, consistent with the digital evidence recovered.
During the investigation, Hannigan learned the NYPD had executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence. The suspect, a known narcotics dealer and convicted felon, was arrested on charges of firearm possession and possession of a kilogram of fentanyl.
Hannigan, who represents the Yorktown Police Department on the FBI’s 6th Street Task Force, worked with the NYPD to pursue federal charges related to the seized evidence. While the suspect was in NYPD custody, Hannigan and another task force detective conducted an interrogation during which the suspect admitted to selling fentanyl to the victim prior to her death.
The suspect was subsequently charged federally with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
“He took charge of this and it was personal to him,” Noble said of Hannigan. “Just intelligent police work ... Hannigan always gets his man. You give him a little bit of information, and he will quickly turn in to a lot.”
Noble said it was “not the first dealer” Hannigan has “put away on federal charges.”
Detective Sgt. Thomas Beyrer, Officer Gino Argiro, Sgt. Chad Delgado, Officer Brandon Bennett, Officer Brandon Montero and Detective Daniel Curtis were awarded Excellent Police Duty Awards for their actions on Nov. 9, 2024.
Yorktown police received multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at an apartment complex, with a female victim down and possibly shot. Officers were immediately dispatched to the area, with the suspect’s whereabouts initially unknown.
Upon arrival, officers donned tactical gear and armed themselves with patrol rifles. They located the female victim in front of one of the buildings, where she appeared to be deceased. Officers secured the scene and checked for additional victims.
Officers quickly obtained a description of the suspect and broadcast it to surrounding jurisdictions and agencies, including the New York State Police, Westchester County Police, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Carmel Police Department.
Detective Curtis arrived shortly thereafter and began gathering information on the suspect’s identity and vehicle. That information was shared through the Westchester County Real Time Crime Center, alerting agencies through regional communication systems.
A short time later, the NYPD located the suspect vehicle in the Bronx and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect ultimately took his own life inside the vehicle.
“As a result of the officers’ swift response, tactical approach, coordinated efforts, and effective dissemination of critical information, a suspect was quickly identified, and located in New York City, safely bringing the investigation to a rapid conclusion,” Noble said. “I can't say enough that I'm proud of what these officers did that night.”
Sgt. Michael Vuoso and Officers Gino Argiro and Kelby Castulo, were awarded a certificate of commendation for their police work on Feb. 12, 2025.
Officers were dispatched to a call that a victim had been menaced with a firearm and the suspect was still on the scene inside the vehicle. Vuoso and Castulo arrived on the scene and conducted a felony car stop, detaining the suspect. Argiro arrived on the scene shortly afterward and met with the victim, who confirmed that the person detained was, in fact, the person who menaced him with a firearm. The victim told officers the firearm was removed from the vehicle and taken back to the suspect's apartment.
“As a result of the officer's quick response to the scene, and the interview of the victim, the firearm was subsequently recovered, and the suspect was arrested,” Noble said.
Noble aded that this suspect had an extensive criminal record, with many of his prior arrests for gun possession. When Yorktown officers went back to the residence, they found a 6-year-old in close proximity to the firearm.
“That firearm needed to be confiscated. And by the swift actions, intelligent actions, of these officers who stand next to me, that gun was taken off the street, and a career criminal was arrested,” Noble said.
Gregory O’Brien was recognized for his actions following a serious motorcycle crash near Route 202 and the Taconic State Parkway on July 29, 2025. Before first responders arrived, O’Brien, a military veteran, used his training and experience to provide emergency medical aid to a motorcyclist, who Noble said, “had suffered catastrophic injuries.” Noble said O’Brien’s swift response and decisive actions helped stabilize the injured rider and exemplified courage, compassion and selfless service.
“I love this town,” an emotional O’Brien told the crowd upon receiving the honor. He added that he was glad to have been at the right place at the right time that day.
“He was like Batman,” Noble said. “He was gone from the scene, wanted no recognition at all.”
But, as police often do, Noble said Lt. Matthew Racioppo helped find O’Brien—a man Noble said is more than deserving of the honor and recognition.
A second civilian certificate of appreciation was awarded to Joe and Marina Giuliano of Yorktown Pizza & Pasta, who Noble said are “beloved by the cops at the Yorktown Police Department”. They weren’t present at the ceremony because they were at work.
“You walk into their restaurant, you look to the left on the wall, it's all Yorktown athletes, Yorktown kids up there on the wall—celebrating the successes of our community,” Noble said. “Anything anybody ever needs, they just go above and beyond. They are salt of the earth, hardworking people, and they make delicious food.”
Noble said the recognition was deemed necessary across the department as appreciation
“We are so proud to call the Giuliano family friends,” Noble said. “When we do walk into an establishment in uniform and know that we are amongst friends, we’re reminded that we are blessed to work in Yorktown.”
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