POUGHKEEPSIE - The Dutchess County STOP-DWI Planning Board has honored 16 law enforcement officers. Officers from throughout Dutchess County were honored for their commitment and contributions to the STOP-DWI Program’s mission. Each officer was honored for their strong enforcement efforts in the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers.

STOP-DWI’s mission is to deter drunk/drugged driving through enhanced enforcement, prosecution, rehabilitation, and education services. 

2008  “TOP COP”  Award Winners

Dutchess Country Sheriff’s Office:

• Deputy Sheriff Neil A. Stuart –  Deputy Stuart is assigned as the full-time STOP-DWI officer for Dutchess County.  During the past year he made an outstanding 200 impaired driving arrests.  In addition he made 51 criminal arrests, issued 788 traffic tickets and made approximately 1831 traffic stops.  Neil routinely assists other agencies as well as DCSO officers with DWI related incidents, DRE evaluation and emergency calls.  He has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2001 and is a Field Training Officer.
• Deputy Sheriff Adam D. Harris –  Deputy Harris made 35 impaired driving arrests during the past year.  He is a pro-active officer who places an emphasis on impaired driving arrests.  He was previously recognized in this field by the Mid Hudson STOP DWI program while he worked for the Marlborough Police Dept.  Adam graduated from WCSU in 2004 and has been employed with the DCSO since May 2007.
• Deputy Sheriff Joel Ryan Petrus –  Deputy Petrus made 24 impaired driving arrests during the past year.  In addition he made 52 criminal arrests and responded to approximately 1200 calls for service.  Joel is very pro-active on patrol and places an emphasis on impaired driving.  He is always eager to assist in STOP-DWI details.  He has been with the Sheriff’s Office since February 2004.

City of Beacon Police:

• Police Officer Christian Alencastro -  Officer Alencastro has been a member of the City of Beacon Police Department since October 2001. Chris’s continuous dedication to the enforcement of the drinking and driving laws has led to him being the department leader in DWI arrests again this year.  He is currently assigned to the K-9 Unit.

Town of East Fishkill Police:

• Police Officer Brian Tarpey – Officer Tarpey has led the Department by a large margin in DWI related arrests.  Brian joined the East Fishkill Police Department in December 2005.   He has aggressively enforced all aspects of DWI laws.

Town of Fishkill Police:

• Police Officer Jason R. Betley  –  Officer Betley continues to be proactive and has shown a great dedication in removing intoxicated drivers from the highways in the Town of Fishkill.  Jason has been nominated for this award due to his willingness and dedication to the STOP-DWI Program.   He continues to lead the department in DWI arrests and shows a great deal of commitment to reduce alcohol related incidents.

Town of Hyde Park Police:

• Police Officer David Abrams  –  Officer Abrams is highly motivated and removed 23 impaired drivers from our highways this year.  He started his career in 1999 and joined the Hyde Park PD in 2005.  David has completed the Drug Recognition Expert course and was awarded the Department’s Life Saving Award.  He is a credit to himself and this department as a whole.

City of Poughkeepsie Police:

• Police Officer Dave Lawless –  Officer Lawless has been a member of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Dept. since 2000.  He continues to show initiative in enforcing alcohol related driving offenses.  Dave has been assigned to the Traffic Safety Div. for the past 7 years and is an accomplished motor officer and accident investigator.

Town of Poughkeepsie Police:

• Police Officer Melchiorre Bruschetti – Officer Bruschetti continues to show a commitment to the STOP-DWI Program with 10 arrests in his last 14 patrols.  He has been with the T/O Poughkeepsie PD for 4 years.  Currently he is assigned to the traffic division and is certified as a Drug Recognition Expert, SFST, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and accident investigation.

Village of Wappingers Falls Police:

• Police Officer Michael Mazzacone - Officer Mazzacone has shown a great deal of devotion to enforcing the DWI laws.  Michael is the Village’s STOP-DWI coordinator and has shown his dedication by leading the department in impaired driving arrests.

Village of Fishkill Police:

• Police Officer Lori Bailey –  Officer Bailey has led the Village of Fishkill Police Dept. in DWI arrests.   She has dedicated herself to the safety of the village residents and the safety of the motorists traveling through the Village of Fishkill.

New York State Police, Troop K:

• Trooper Michael F. Patterson – Rhinebeck    Trooper Patterson is a Long Island resident who joined the NYPD in 2001 and the NYSP in 2004.  Michael has garnered 36 DWI arrests over the past year, which is far and away the most arrests by a Rhinebeck Trooper. Michael graduated from Plattsburgh State University and is married with one son.
• Trooper Anthony F. Gentile  – Wappingers    Trooper Gentile has affected 19 DWI arrests over the past year.  Anthony began with the division on January 2002  and has been a station leader in activity, aggressively enforcing V&T and Penal Law.  He lives locally and his knowledge of the patrol area has contributed to his outstanding activity.
• Trooper Wesley B. Shaw – Poughkeepsie    Trooper Shaw is committed to the Dutchess County STOP-DWI Program and has been diligent in his enforcement efforts with 26 DWI arrests over the last year. Wesley is the station leader in DWI enforcement for Poughkeepsie.  He has made a commitment to keep the highway and roadways in Dutchess County safe from dangerous drivers.
• Trooper Matthew C. Estes – Dover     Trooper Estes has affected 18 DWI arrests over the past year.  Matthew is a two year veteran of the NYSP currently assigned to Dover Plains.  He is an E.M.T. and a member of the NY Army National Guard.
• Trooper Roy Kievit – Stormville     Tpr. Kievit has made 52 DWI arrests throughout the last year.  Roy entered the NYSP in June, 2004.  Since he has been assigned to Stormville, he has been a station leader in DWI enforcement.  He is married with two children.