Top Cop January 2007

On January 4, 2007 at approximately 2330 hours Hempstead Police Department responded to a location on Harvard Street to effect the arrest of a subject wanted for burglary. When the Officers arrived on scene they were met by the subjects Aunt who let them into the 2nd floor apartment. While conducting a search of the apartment the Officers were fired upon multiple times by the subject. The Officers returned fire and retreated down the stairs assisting the Aunt to the front porch. The Officers found themselves pinned down on the front porch with the armed subject above them at the window. At 2347 Hrs. Hempstead Police requested assistance from Nassau County Bureau Of Special Operations.

BSO units 916, 927, 944, and 965 were en route. Within minutes BSO Officers Brady, Hughes, Arena, David, Alonge, Loschiavo, Lanzillotta, and O’Connor were on scene. They positioned themselves on Burrell Ave, which was a few houses away from the Harvard Street location. The eight BSO Officers prepared to suit up in full tactical gear. At this time a Hempstead Sergeant informed BSO that three Hempstead Officers along with a civilian were trapped on the front porch on Harvard Street. The BSO Officers realized that an immediate rescue operation had to be preformed. They decided not to wait for additional tactical equipment to arrive, and formed up for their approach.

Police Officers Alonge, Lanzillotta and Arena were armed with G36 rifles. The rest of the team were armed only with their 9mm handguns. The Officers approached as an eight man rescue team. BSO Officers dropped off at several points surrounding the house providing cover, while other Officers entered the front porch and escorted the three Police Officers and female civilian single file off the porch. As the four were being moved between houses to safety, the subject appeared at the front window and fired a shot at BSO Officers Arena and Loschiavo who were behind an unmarked car out front. BSO Officers Lanzillotta and Alonge were still on the front porch. As Officers Brady, Hughes, David, and O’Connor evacuated the 4 persons to safety, the other Officers held their positions until everyone was safe. The BSO Officers regrouped to form an arrest team in the event the subject should attempt to exit the house.

The subject remained barricaded for over 9 hours. Only after extensive hostage negotiations did the subject finally exit and surrender.

At 0835 hours on January 5 the subject was placed under arrest, and charged with four counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree.

BSO Officers Philip Brady, Joseph Hughes, Carl Arena, Mark David, Edward Alonge, Stephen Loschiavo, Louis Lanzillotta, and Brian O’Connor used their tactical skills along with split second decisions and worked together as a team to rescue three Brother Hempstead Police Officers and a female civilian from a violent armed felon who had a total disregard for human life. They are a tribute to the training, dedication, and precision teamwork always displayed by the Officers of the Bureau of Special Operations.

Posted Monday, July 9, 2007

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