Garden City's Finest, Bravest Honored

The case involved a then 14-year-old Garden City girl who met what she thought was a “boyfriend” online.

The initial chats, however, gave way to inappropriate photos being sent to her. The girl grew concerned and told her father, who went to the Garden City Police Department.

At that point, Garden City Det. Kevin Madden got involved. Det. Madden, who made more than 100 arrests last year, primarily in narcotics, used his great police work and dogged determination to track down this individual. He was among those honored Wednesday at the annual Law and Order Night, sponsored by American Legion Garden City Post No. 265.

What this “boyfriend” thought was a 14-year-old girl online was now Det. Madden gathering information like phone records. He was able to trace the communication to Amherst, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. With the cooperation of Amherst police, Det. Madden zeroed in on the address. He showed up at the door of the alleged individual at 6 a.m.

A man about 21 years old, who fit the profile of the “boyfriend,” answered the door. Det. Madden identified himself and explained why he was there.

“You want my dad,” the young man said. “He’s a pedophile.”

The pedophile was a 59-year-old man. He was not home at the time, but would return about 10 minutes later and was promptly arrested by Det. Madden.

Det. Madden, along with Garden City firefighters and a member of the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, were all honored for their bravery, heroism and service.

“I love what I do,” Det. Madden said. He admitted “a lot of these [pedophile] cases turn into dead ends.” He said he was happy this one did not.

Police Commissioner Ernest J. Cipullo said Det. Madden “is representative of the officers we have who do such great work. I am proud of all of them. Kevin does a wonderful job.”

Adam Burak of the Garden City Special Police received a Certificate of Commendation as well.

Firefighters Also Honored

In their life-saving efforts to revive a 53-year-old Garden City resident in full cardiac arrest last  May, Lt. Rob Noonan and firefighters Don Marra and Peter Thorp of the Garden City Fire Department were also honored Wednesday night.

The firefighters responded quickly to the man. Lt. Noonan assumed CPR compressions while Firefighter Thorp, an EMT, attached the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) pads. Once connected, he shocked the patient twice and was able to get him breathing again, albeit faintly.

“At times like this, you let your training take over,” Lt. Noonan said Wednesday night.

The victim was rushed to Winthrop-University Hospital in critical condition but was later released.

“It’s timing,” Firefighter Thorp said Wednesday. “Getting there quickly made all the difference in the world. Everything went perfectly. Like Lt. Noonan said, we are trained to do this. It’s a great feeling that someone is [alive] because of something we did. ”    

Rennie Gonzalez, a member of the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, received a Certificate of Commendation for his years of dedicated service.

John Donovan, commander of Post No. 265 of the American Legion, addressed an audience filled with blue uniforms. “We have an appreciation for danger and what it takes to put your life on the line,” he said. “We have a real affinity for the people who serve us every day. We have a kindred spirit with all of you.”