Hempstead Town Supervisor Rich Guardino honored several law enforcement officials at a special police service awards ceremony on Sept. 18. Police officers, detectives and a sergeant, from both village and county police departments and one entire village department were honored at the ceremony. According to the town, the individual officers were honored for their intelligence, bravery and heroism in solving crimes, apprehending criminals and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. Among those honored was 8th Precinct Officer Daniel Johannessen, who covers the Levittown area.

"This is a truly special evening for all of us as we pay tribute to and recognize those dedicated and courageous individuals who risk their own lives for ours," Guardino said at the ceremony. "Police officers in our towns and villages make significant sacrifices every day to ensure our safety and maintain our peaceful suburban way of life."

The supervisor noted that last year's ceremony was cancelled out of respect for the victims of September 11 and that many local officers were occupied in rescue and recovery efforts at that time.

"In the wake of September 11, we are reminded of the grave situations that can confront our uniformed officers on any given day," he said. "They put their lives on the line pursuing criminal activities, they maintain order and facilitate rescues in tragic crises and they run programs, such as the Police Athletic League, that enhance our quality of life and give our children the uniquely positive influence that our law enforcement professionals offer."

Eighth Precinct Police Officer Daniel Johannessen was honored at the ceremony for having distinguished himself in his five years with the Nassau County Police Department. It was announced at the ceremony that in the past 12 months alone, he has made 46 arrests, including 11 felonies, written over 450 summonses and has assisted in more than 105 additional arrests. It was further stated that "Officer Johannessen goes beyond the enforcement aspect of policing, maintaining a good rapport with business owners, residents and fellow workers, as well as that of his supervisors. Officer Johannessen is a credit to the Nassau County Police Department and is a valuable asset to the people of the Town of Hempstead."

"We live and raise our families here because, among other reasons, we feel safe in our homes and on our streets," Guardino said. "Today's police officers are vital members of our communities, who get to know the shop owners, the residents and the children who live and work there. They work in pleasant environments of youth outreach and community enrichment programs and they face the dangers and difficulties associated with the fight against crime. They intervene in cases of domestic abuse and they deal with the realities of robberies, drugs, fights and fatalities and they perform brilliantly."

Guardino further noted that the conscientious effort to involve officers in school programs and athletic leagues has helped maintain a lack of youth violence in local communities when compared to other major suburban areas.

"I don't believe that it is solely good fortune that we have been spared incidents of gun violence and death in our classrooms," he said. "Youngsters learn to respect police and the laws we live by. They learn to feel comfortable with the officers in their community and they learn that they can rely upon them. This is a lesson that our children carry with them to adulthood."

All nine Nassau County Police Officers, seven Nassau County detectives, eight village police officers, three village detectives and one village sergeant were presented with a certificate and a police service medal. The entire Malverne Police Department, was honored for its service in the wake of September 11, 2001, with a plaque, which was presented to their chief.

During the ceremony, Nassau County Police Chaplain Reverend James G. Anderson offered an invocation. Also present for the ceremony were local elected officials and dignitaries, including chiefs, deputy chiefs, commissioners and officers of various police departments, squads and precincts.

Guardino commended each of the award recipients for their exemplary service and noted that they each were truly "the heroes next door."