Last Updated: April 7, 2010

Locust Valley American Legion
Law and Order Night: Our Heroes

Leo Goldman and Charles Mills

More photos at end of article

All photos by Adam Grohman

• Adam Grohman

On March 22, the Howard A. Van Wagner Post 962 of The American Legion, Inc. held its annual Law and Order event. This year, members of the Nassau County Police Department and the Locust Valley Fire Department were honored for their professionalism and commitment.
Charles Mills, Adjutant of Post 962, along with his fellow legionnaires, conducted the ceremony. Among the honorees were two police officers from Nassau County’s Second Precinct, Alan Seffens and William McKean. These officers, according to their commanding officer Inspector Joseph E. Allen, normally patrol in plainclothes and concentrate on serious crime issues. Allen said, “On December 7, 2009, while on patrol in a neighborhood in which many residential burglaries had been reported, they located a suspicious black Altima car, parked in a driveway, with one person in the vehicle. As they approached the vehicle, they observed a second male subject on the porch of the residence. They observed him repeatedly ramming the front door with his shoulder. Police Officer Seffens immediately stopped his police vehicle, exited and approached the driver of the Altima. He ordered the driver to put his hands on the steering wheel, preventing him from driving away. Police Officer McKean exited the police vehicle and approached the subject who was at the front door. The subject ran, but Officer McKean ran down the driveway with his gun drawn and was able to place the second subject under arrest before he was able to flee from the burglary scene.”
“The officers’ actions prevented the completion of the burglary and the subsequent investigation produced information regarding a continuing pattern of residential burglaries within the Second Precinct and Nassau County. It was determined that these two subjects were part of a larger, more organized band of burglars, that originated from the northern Queens area in New York and who used the Long Island Expressway as a route to and from burglaries. Inspector Allen further noted that “the outstanding police work by Officers Seffens and McKean have resulted in a safer community.”
Also honored was Nassau County Ambulance Medical Technician Leo Goldman, who responded to a stopped vehicle and found the driver slumped over the wheel. Goldman determined that the driver was in cardiac arrest. Using a defibrillator, Goldman successfully restored the victim’s normal heart beat and saved the victim’s life.
Fire Fighter Tom Hornosky of the Locust Valley Fire Department was also honored for his dedication. Locust Valley Fire Department Chief Jeff Baker, explained that the “Jack Turner Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the Locust Valley Fire Department. In the tradition of Jack Turner, these individuals demonstrate the characteristics of unselfishness, service, dedication, and participation that Jack portrayed. Captain Thomas Hornosky embodies the spirit of this award to the fullest extent with his commitment to the Locust Valley Fire Department. Tom joined the department in 1998. He has risen through the ranks of Hook & Ladder Co. #1 where he has served as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and, currently, as Captain. Tom has proven to be a strong leader and he represents the future of this department.”
Chief Baker explained to the audience that, “we are all volunteers who work full-time jobs like Tom, who is the Warden for the North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary. He supports local community events such as Oysterfest, Operation Wounded Warrior, the Mill Neck Rod and Gun Club and coaching youth hockey.”
The American Legion is an organization of veterans who served honorably in the Armed Forces in time of war. It is active in furthering the education of our youth, in the care of elderly and disabled war veterans, and in a variety of patriotic activities.

Tom Hornosky, Charles Mills and Chief Jeff Baker

 

Charles Mill with Officers Alan Seffens and William McKean

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