Overview

DCJS supports the committees responsible for honoring brave police officers across New York.

Police Officer of the Year Awards

The Governor's Police Officer of the Year Awards provide statewide recognition of police officers having demonstrated exceptional valor in service to the people of New York State, thereby exhibiting the highest traditions of law enforcement.

2024 Medal of Valor

New York State Police Officer Medal of Valor seal artwork

Cortland County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Captain Anthony Phelps

Phelps was an Investigator/Sergeant when he responded to assist fellow officers who were attempting to de-escalate a situation involving an individual armed with a shotgun. Upon his arrival in the apartment, Phelps heard gunfire and saw officers seeking cover. As the individual continued to fire the shotgun, Phelps returned fire and struck the assailant. He then took control of the scene and provided life-saving aid to the assailant, who was struck in the leg.

2024 Certificates of Valor

  • Officer Matthew Arnold of the Cheektowaga Police Department
  • Officer Jean-Claude James of the Lynbrook Police Department
  • Officer Michael J. Graham of the Nassau County Police Department
  • Officer Jonathan E. Diller of the New York City Police Department
  • Troopers Steven J. Missale and Ronald Raymond of the New York State Police
  • Deputy Joseph Carey of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officers Joseph Esposito, Tyler Kozikowski and Tommy Shair of the Suffolk County Police Department

View Past Recipients

Police Officer of the Year Nominations

A Selection Committee with the following members reviews nominations and selects the award recipient(s):

  • Commissioner, Division of Criminal Justice Services
  • Superintendent, New York State Police
  • Executive Director, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Counsel and Executive Director, New York State Sheriffs’ Association
  • President, Police Conference of New York
  • President, New York State Association of PBAs
  • President, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of the City of New York

Please call 518-485-7619 for more information or to learn when nominations will be accepted for the next award.

Police Officers Memorial Forms

About the Memorial

"It doesn't matter from which department they came, the feeling of loss is experienced the same."

The Memorial was designed by the New York State Office of General Services based on a design concept submitted by Colleen Dillon Bergman, daughter of State Trooper Emerson J. Dillon Jr. who was slain in the line of duty in 1974 after 16 ½ years of service with the New York State Police. A quote from Mrs. Bergman's letter is engraved on the nameplate wall: "It doesn't matter from which department they came, the feeling of loss is experienced the same."

The names of 1,964 officers are engraved on the Memorial wall. Among them are the names of 1,200 officers from the New York City Police Department. The remaining officers are from 155 police agencies statewide and 6 federal agencies. Names are placed randomly on the wall and without rank.

The Memorial wall is polished black granite and divided into twenty-two panels lettered (A - V). The identifying letter is located at the base of each panel and reads from right to left. Each panel is divided in half and each half is identified as either top or bottom. To find the name of a fallen officer, locate the officer's name in the Complete Roll of Honor, and then read to the far right to determine the panel and whether the entry appears on the top or bottom half.

A Remembrance Ceremony is held at the Memorial each year, typically during the month of May.

Visit the Police Officers Memorial

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