Governor Kathy Hochul joined Acting Superintendent Dominick Chiumento Thursday in honoring 232 new State Troopers as they graduated from the 213th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.
The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.
Today’s graduation increases the State Police ranks to 4,781 sworn members.
Among them is Hannah Dibble of Summit, who’ll be assigned to Troop E.
“I commend these 232 men and women for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State,” Governor Hochul said.
“The members of the New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep the rest of us safe – in a world where their mission has grown more challenging and complex. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the graduates for their hard work and perseverance – and welcome them to the long gray line.”
Since the last State Police graduation in June, the State Police were involved in lifesaving, monumental cases across New York State.
The State Police was involved in the capture of the Gilgo Beach serial killer, bringing back a sense of security to a Long Island community.
In addition, the State Police were involved in saving the lives of more than 50 high school students from Farmingdale in a bus crash in Orange County.
Lastly, the State Police were instrumental in returning a young girl home after being kidnapped from a state park.
In addition to honoring all graduates from the 213th Session of Basic School, Acting Superintendent Chiumento presented the following awards:
Academic Achievement Award -- Trooper Mark J. Novello, a 24-year-old resident of Astoria. He is a graduate of Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Prior to joining the New York State Police as a Trooper, he was a Police Officer with the New York City Police Department for two years. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 97.23 percent. He will be assigned to Troop K.
Firearms Proficiency Award -- Trooper David A. Heath, 25, of Central Square.
Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award -- The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa.
Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City on March 5, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.
The recipient of this Award is Trooper Paul R. Tripi, of Cheektowaga. He is a graduate of Wheeling University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 232 members of the 213th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop A.
Student Representative -- The recipient of this Award is Trooper Kevin J. Knightes, 32, of Schenectady.
The new Troopers will report for field duty on December 27. For the following 10 weeks, the new Troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.