Town Honors 'Savvy' Garden City Police Officer

The Town of Hempstead recently honored nearly two dozen police officers, including Garden City Police Officer John Florio, for acts of heroism in the line of duty.

Officers from the villages of Freeport, Garden City, Hempstead, Lynbrook and Rockville Centre and from the Nassau County Police Department were recognized at this year's police service awards ceremony.

“While we live, work and raise our families here in the Town of Hempstead, our dedicated police officers are patrolling the streets to ensure that our quality of life is protected,” Supervisor Kate Murray said. “I am proud to honor these police officers for their bravery, heroism, dedication and commitment in serving and protecting this great township.”

Officer Florio's "keen sense of direction" foiled a burglar who had been targeting Garden City and surrounding areas just weeks before Christmas. While on routine patrol, Officer Florio was notified that a local home had been burglarized and that the homeowner confronted the suspect and saw him flee.

After obtaining a description of the burglar, Officer Florio immediately thought about the various burglaries and larcenies that had occurred in the area and deducted the suspect would most likely flee by way of Denton Avenue, a direct route to Jericho Turnpike, Murray said.

Officer Florio, a 27-year member of the department, headed to Denton Avenue and observed a vehicle fitting the victim's description. He stopped the subject before he reached Jericho Turnpike and requested the victim come to the scene to identify the suspect. It was determined the suspect was responsible for this and several other burglaries. Further investigation by Officer Florio led to the recovery of items from prior burglaries at the suspect’s home.

"From patrolling our streets and keeping our families and homes safe, to solving murders and spending countless hours on extensive undercover work, our police honorees have distinguished themselves as local heroes," Murray said. "When others are running away from danger, they selflessly run towards it, putting their lives on the line in order to help innocent bystanders and victims."