Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services Awards

Winners: Jessica Mehlek, Tim Salanger and Fred Antinarella

The Chief's Award for Heroism recognizes officers who have demonstrated exceptional personal bravery and gallantry, risking their life and personal injury to perform an act of heroism that garners credit for themselves, the department, and the University.

Inherently in this line of work, we are bound to have many deserving nominations. Our first award goes to Officer Jessica Mehlek. Officer Mehlek was instrumental in safely resolving an incident that occurred on July 20 outside of the JMA Wireless Dome loading dock. A female armed with two knives was following a male who was fleeing her. The male told Officer Mehlek that he had a restraining order against the female. The male was able to create distance from the suspect after she lunged at him with the knife. Without hesitation Officer Mehlek notified the ECC of the circumstances. Officer Mehlek drew her weapon and gave clear, direct instructions to the female to drop her weapon, which she eventually did without further incident. Because of Officer Mehlek’s quick, strategic and composed response, she was able to prevent serious physical injury or death to another person.

Our second and third award goes to Sergeant Tim Salanger and Officer Fred Antinarella for their work on an incident that occurred on October 4. They both reported to a call that two individuals were seen checking vehicle doors. When spotted by officers, the individuals ran into a nearby wooded area. Sergeant Salanger and Officer Antinarella searched the woods and found one of the suspects that fled. In the suspects possession was what appeared to be stolen property and a firearm. The suspect was taken into custody and the firearm was recovered. Through their keen observation skills, diligence to their duty, and coordinated efforts, a suspect was apprehended and identified, and an illegal firearm was taken off the streets.

Winners: Eugenio Alvarez, Michael DeGenova, Martha Farmer, Scott Manchin, Joseph Parker, Eric Wagner and Chris Wood.

Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services is a bigger operation than most would realize. Not only does it house the Department of Public Safety and its officers, but it is also home to the Community Safety and Residential Safety programs, Emergency Management, Fire and Life Safety Services and the Video Access Security Technology Team, also known as VASTT.

The awards committee felt as though each unit of the Campus Safety team deserved to be recognized with a Meritorious Performance Award. This award is given to Campus Safety employees who have performed an exceptional act or series of acts that go beyond their normal call of duty.

Officer Eugenio Alvarez, who could not be in attendance tonight, is being honored for his exceptional leadership and ability to inspire fellow officers when he is deemed the Officer in Charge. Additionally, it’s his sharp observation skills, dedication to duty and teamwork with another officer that led to the apprehension of an armed robbery suspect last February.

From our Emergency Communications Center, Michael DeGenova is being honored for his leadership as a coordinator, as well as his commitment and dedication to always stepping in if coverage is needed to make sure the Emergency Communications Center can function as a critical role of DPS.

Martha Farmer is a Community Service Officer who consistently goes above and beyond for her colleagues, our students and their parents. She makes a concerted effort to connect with students, even receiving an invitation to this year’s Department of Marriage and Family Therapy’s graduation at Peck Hall. These interactions are key to strengthening our relationships with the campus community, which is why she is being honored today.

Scott Manchin, VASTT Computer Consultant, is being awarded for his exceptional dedication and technical expertise. Scott helped improve major website issues in RSA VERIFY. He not only has enhanced convenience but also paved thew way for further site improvements and addressed safety concerns without disrupting essential functions.

Joseph Parker and Eric Wagner, both Residential Safety Coordinators, are being recognized for their dedication to the Residential Safety program. They manage last-minute schedule changes effortlessly and step in to cover shifts when needed.

Detective Chris Wood is being honored for his hard work and dedication in positioning the Department of Public Safety to achieve Advanced CALEA Accreditation. He meticulously provided proofs for hundreds of Standard Operating Procedures, making necessary additions and modifications. This effort culminated in an on-site assessment that received high marks for its thoroughness in meeting the required standards for Advanced CALEA Accreditation

Winner: Kathleen Pabis

The Grant Williams Excellence in Service Award is given to a Campus Safety employee who has worked hard to establish, promote, and encourage community policing, community service, risk prevention, and/or crime prevention efforts on campus and in the neighboring community. The recipient of the award has also built sustained relationships with community members through their efforts.

Commander Pabis who recently retired after more than 30 years of service has run the Residential Safety and Security program from its inception. Commander Pabis was instrumental in developing the guiding philosophy for the program, creating Standard Operating Procedures, and recruiting, hiring and training a staff that at times exceeded 100 employees. The program has been successful in large part due to Commander Pabis' commitment and dedication to the standard that was set by Major Grant Williams.

Winner: John Mazurowski and Simon Stikkel

The Excellence in Law Enforcement Award recognizes an individual who actively promotes and encourages law enforcement efforts on campus and in the community, while maintaining peace, protecting life and property, reducing crime, and enforcing laws.

They are fully committed to the DPS law enforcement philosophy, exhibit positive behaviors in law enforcement, and serve as role models for others. They also encourage others to adopt that same philosophy.

Our first honoree is Officer John Mazurowski. Officer Mazurowski has been an excellent example of what it means to be a friendly and approachable Peace Officer. He always displays a positive attitude and demonstrates a willingness to learn, assist other units and train newer officers. He was especially helpful this year working with both the Summer Shadow Program and the Syracuse City School District DPS Internship program.

Additionally last November, Officer Mazurowski and other DPS units were dispatched to the Schine Student Center regarding a student who reported that they observed an individual with a firearm in their pocket. Cameras in the area revealed that the suspect was traveling west on Waverly Ave. Officer Mazurowski, along with other officers quickly responded to the area and located the suspect.

Upon discovery of the weapon hidden in the area, Officer Mazurowski arrested the suspect and charged him with possession of a weapon. Through his keen observation skills, diligence to his duty, and coordinated efforts, a suspect was apprehended and identified, and an illegal firearm was taken off the streets.

Our second award goes to Officer Simon Stikkel. Officer Stikkel took the time and effort to track down the students who stole a public safety informational board, resulting in the property being recovered and the individuals identified. He did the majority of this on his own time, which speaks volumes to him as an officer and his character.

Officer Stikkel’s actions show other DPS officers that their efforts don’t go unnoticed. As a Field Training Officer this is exactly the type of effort that we hope to impart on our newer officers. He also was an instrumental part in identifying, detaining and eventually arresting a suspect who was a person of interest in four stolen scooter cases.

Winner: Brian O'Hara and Miah Rafferty

The Excellence in Safety and Security Award represents an individual's efforts in promoting safety and security on campus and in the community. They are encouraging others to implement the core meaning of safety and security into their everyday actions.

Miah Rafferty is the Systems Monitoring Specialist, who has time and time again helped in providing necessary camera footage of crimes, followed and tracked suspects and has been an integral part in helping our Investigations team solve crimes.  She has proved to be an integral part in helping ensure our campus is safe.

Brian O’Hara, a Fire and Life Safety Officer, who has embodied the mission of safety and security, specifically during a medical incident which occurred during a men’s basketball game last January. Brian helped a patron during a medical crisis in the Dome. He moved the patron so they could receive CPR and he assisted the tending Paramedic in maintaining the airway. The patron had a successful recovery. His effort undoubtedly led to the successful resuscitation of the person suffering during the medical event.

Winner: William Coplin, Policy Studies Professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

The Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services Community Member Recognition Award is presented to a non-Campus Safety individual or department that has provided support to the division’s mission. It is specifically given to those who have helped in strengthening the partnerships between Campus Safety and the campus community.

Bill Coplin, a Policy Studies Professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has been a great partner in our Summer Youth Leadership Camp. The camp gives rising ninth graders in the Syracuse City School District a chance to learn fundamental life skills and Professor Coplin helped make that possible. His dedication to and preparation for our Youth Leadership Camp made it so our visiting students could learn skills like goal setting, time management and people skills. We look forward to working with him on future Youth Leadership Camps.

Winners: John and Misty Stephens and George Wazen

The Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services Spirit of Justice Award is given to a Campus Safety employee who has made exceptional contributions to the community service, community engagement, and inclusion mission. The award recognizes the efforts that go above and beyond and aren’t found in a job description. Specifically acts that benefit the community and show that our team is here to help and make positive change. The awards committee believed two nominations to be equally deserving of recognition.

Our first honoree is Sergeant John Stephens. Sergeant Stephens led the efforts to bring the DPS Marshall Street satellite station to fruition. He worked with the University’s Campus Planning Design and Construction team from the design, layout and construction phase, all the way through to the outfitting, furnishing and finishing phase. He has been instrumental in all aspects of the success of the location as he has kept it staffed and welcoming to all.

Sergeant Stephens was also responsible for another successful Youth Leadership Camp. In its second year, he was able to make improvements to some of the logistics that hampered the camp in its debut, and the results included many more participants being able to benefit from the improved ease of attendance and the smoother, proven topics and delivery implemented with the assistance of Professor Coplin.

Lastly, in his role as Administrative Sergeant, he also managed to be invaluable to both the Emergency Communications Center and the Training Unit with his knowledge and willingness to assist whenever needed.

Our second award goes to Misty Stephens. Misty is the Public Safety Coordinator and driving force in keeping the DPS Game Nights successful, which have become one of the hallmark Community Engagement events hosted by the DPS. Misty constantly brings energy and enthusiasm to these events and her tenacity is what ensures that many DPS officers and students participate.

At almost all Community Engagement Events you can expect to see Misty. Many students, staff and faculty know her by name as she has made great connections with so many of our campus community members.

Misty has played a role in the success of DPS Game Nights, Orange After Dark events, the Youth Leadership Camp and the Community Police Academy. Misty is also a valuable resource to the Emergency Communications Center when asked to step in when staffing is needed.

Our last honoree of the night is Officer George Wazen. Officer Wazen has been in his role as the Library Coordinator for almost a decade and he has turned it into a very successful model. As the direct supervisor to hundreds of student workers in the Library, he has formed lasting relationships that have been beneficial to both the students as well as the entire University Community.

Additionally, he has taken the lead on every successful Community Police Academy since their inception. Officer Wazen recruits participants, plans the program, recruit’s presenters, handles the logistics of scheduling and reserving the space, secures funding and provides the energy to ensure that each CPA has been a success.

Officer Wazen has also created and delivered dozens of safety related presentations to students, parents, faculty and staff. These topics vary but all are successful because of Officer Wazen’s passion for helping others.