Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Councilman and Public Safety Chairman Terence McSweeney and the rest of the Babylon Town Board recently welcomed officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Precinct to Town Hall to honor them for their heroic actions during an August traffic incident in Deer Park. Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly was also in attendance.
In the early morning hours of August 18, First Precinct officers Shawn Arigoni and Michael Rena attempted to pull over a vehicle they spotted speeding and swerving near Route 231 and Commack Road. The vehicle fled and lost control further down the road, crashing into a tree, overturning and bursting into flames.
Officers Arigoni and Renna, along with officers Thomas Engelhardt and Ryan Carroll, also of the First Precinct, were able to quickly pull three passengers from the vehicle to safety. The officers then were able to extract the driver whose legs were pinned by the steering wheel.
“It is hard to overstate the bravery and dedication to public service displayed by these officers,” said Councilman Terence McSweeney. “They sprang into action within seconds putting themselves in harm’s way, saving not one but four lives. On behalf of the Babylon Town Board, it is an honor to present these officers with the town’s heroism award, which is the highest honor we can give.”
Photo (Left to Right): Councilman DuWayne Gregory, Receiver of Taxes Jennifer Montiglio, Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Supervisor Rich Schaffer, First Precinct Inspector Brenden Forte, Officer Michael Rena, Officer Shawn Arigoni, Officer Thomas Engelhardt, Councilman Terence McSweeney, Councilman Anthony Manetta, Legislator Tom Donnelly and Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez.
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