“Hometown Heroes!” Suozzi Honors Local Police Officers at 7th Hometown Heroes Ceremony

Glen Cove, NY – Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) today hosted his seventh “Hometown Heroes” ceremony, continuing a tradition he began to recognize, honor, and thank local law enforcement officers who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and heroism in the line of duty. At this year’s ceremony, held outside the Glen Cove Police Department, Suozzi honored nine officers across five police departments. He recognized five of the officers for protecting victims and apprehending their violent offenders, one for saving a life by de-escalating a mental health crisis, one for saving a child’s life, one for his vigilance and professionalism in removing an illegal firearm, and one for dedicating 20 years to the force, including 15 years handling domestic violence cases.

The nine recognized officers were from the Nassau County Police Department, Glen Cove Police Department, Brookville Police Department, and three precincts of the New York City Police Department: the 105th, 109th, 111th. Suozzi shared the stories of the officers’ heroic actions and the lives they helped save while serving their communities.

“I have made it a tradition to hold these Hometown Heroes ceremonies because the men and women who protect our communities every day deserve our support and our thanks,” said Suozzi. “Police officers have one of the toughest jobs there is. They run toward danger when the rest of us are running away, and too often the extraordinary things they do every day go unnoticed.”

“These Hometown Heroes represent the very best of law enforcement. Their courage, quick thinking, and willingness to put themselves at risk to help others saved lives. I am proud that this is now the seventh time we have come together to recognize these remarkable officers and, most importantly, to say: thank you for keeping us safe.”

Suozzi began his Hometown Heroes tradition to shine a spotlight on the often-unheralded acts of courage performed by local law enforcement officers and to underscore his longstanding support for the men and women who serve in local police departments. This year’s event marks the seventh Hometown Heroes ceremony Suozzi has hosted.

This year’s honorees include officers from the Nassau County Police Department 6th Precinct, Glen Cove Police Department, Brookville Police Department, and three precincts of the New York City Police Department: the 105th, 109th, 111th.

Suozzi presented each officer with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a Congressional citation recognizing their service and heroism.

The following officers were honored by Suozzi at this year’s ceremony:

Police Officers Terrell Carter-Ballier and Matthew Russo 

Sixth Precinct 

Nassau County  

On April 25, 2026, the Sixth Precinct received a call from a woman screaming for help on an open line and a man yelling, “Shut up or I will keep choking you” and “I will kill both of us.” Upon arriving on the scene, Officer Russo heard screams coming from inside the locked house and kicked open the front door. He and Officer Carter-Ballier rescued the victim as she ran up the stairs away from the subject, her estranged husband. She told the officers that he was carrying a rope and a metal baton. The officers found him in the basement holding a lawn stake with 6-inch-long prongs to his chest, which he refused to drop. Both officers initially drew their firearms due to the confined space and the unstable subject who could have charged them with the stake, and tried for several minutes to deescalate the situation by working to get him to drop the stake. Both officers then put away their weapons, despite the precarious situation, in an attempt to gain compliance with the subject.   

Officer Russo continued speaking to the subject while Officer Carter-Ballier drew his taser. The subject threatened to take his life and tried to hide in a closet that was partially open. He continued to disobey commands and began stabbing himself in the stomach. At the appropriate time, Officer Carter-Ballier deployed his taser, causing the subject to fall backwards away from the object. 

Officers Russo and Carter-Ballier were able to make entry into the room, secure the lawn stake, and take the subject into custody after a struggle. Their apprehended the subject without major injury and potentially saved the victim’s life. 

Police Officers Sara Palagonia, Nicholas Zanfardino, and Jonathan Pesce 

105th Precinct 

New York Police Department 

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Officers Palagonia, Zanfardino and Pesce were conducting daily patrols in the 105th. They responded to a 9-1-1 call of an assault with a knife. Upon arrival, the officers discovered the victim inside, bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds all over his body. Officer Pesce immediately assessed the victim’s condition and rendered first aid by applying direct pressure to the wounds and applying a chest seal. He monitored the victim’s responsiveness until EMS arrived. Due to the officer’s quick actions and effective control of the bleeding, the victim was stabilized enough for transport, which was instrumental in saving his life.   

Officers Palagonia and Zanfardino did a thorough canvas and were able to successfully apprehend a male suspect at the corner of 115th Road and 229th Street. The suspect was in possession of a large kitchen knife with blood on the blade. The perpetrator was identified and arrested. 

Officers Palagonia, Zanfardino and Pesce are being recognized for their quick response, teamwork, and actions that contributed both to saving the victim’s life and apprehending the individual responsible. 

Police Officer Liang Lin 

109th Precinct 

New York Police Department 

On April 11, 2026 at approximately 5:30 pm, NYPD responded to a report of a woman threatening to jump off of a building. Upon arrival, Officer Lin went up to the roof of the building. The woman was on the ledge. Without hesitation, Officer Lin took swift and decisive action, safely pulling her off the ledge. He then secured the woman and made sure she was placed in custody so she could get the care she needed. 

Officer Lin is being recognized for his decisive action, saving a life and preventing a potential tragedy.

Detective Stephanie Tringali 

111th Precinct 

New York Police Department 

Detective Stephanie Tringali is being honored today for 20 years of dedicated service in the New York Police Department. Being in law enforcement is no ordinary career: it requires thousands of shifts, countless sacrifices, missed birthdays, birthdays, endless paperwork, and an unwavering commitment to keeping the peace.  

Detective Tringali started her career in the 115th Precinct. After about a year, she was assigned to the 111th Precinct, and for the past 15 years, has proudly worked in the Domestic Violence Unit, a position that not many could handle.

Domestic violence investigations are some of the most complex, emotionally exhausting, and critical calls handled by a police department. It takes a unique kind of person to step into the center of someone else's darkest moments day after day. Officers in the Domestic Violence Unit  don't just see the aftermath of a crime; they see people at the absolute lowest, most vulnerable moments of their lives. It takes a heavy toll for everyone involved. It requires a rare combination of an iron stomach and a massive heart. 

For the last decade and a half, Detective Tringali has been the voice for those who felt silenced. She has developed strong cases, brought offenders to justice and literally saved lives. Detective Tringali has been the shield for people who didn't think anyone was left to fight for them. She has guided survivors from fear to a place of safety, dignity, and hope. She is an irreplaceable asset to the 111th Precinct.  

Detective Vasilios “Billy” Rabie 

Brookville Police Department 

On March 14, while on routine patrol, Detective Vasilios Rabie observed a white 2023 Dodge Charger traveling northbound on Route 107 at a speed well above the posted limit and operating in an unsafe manner. After initiating a traffic stop, Detective Rabie encountered the driver, who was unable to produce a valid driver’s license. 

During the course of the investigation, the officer observed what appeared to be a black Glock-style handgun inside the vehicle’s glove compartment. The car’s operator was immiediately directed away from the weapon and safely detained. The firearm was later determined to be an imitation BB pistol designed to closesly resemble a real handgun.

Continuing the investigation and subsequent inventory search of the vehicle, the officer recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver along with additional ammunition concealed inside. 

Through careful observation, sound judgement and adherence to officer safety tactics, this incident was resolved without injury and resulted in the recovery of an illegally possessed loaded firearm. Detective Rabie and the Brookville Police Department are being recognized for the detective’s professionalism, vigilance and commitment to public safety.

Sergeant Peter Michaleas 

Glen Cove Police Department 

On June 24, 2026, police responded to a 9-1-1 call from two 12-year-old boys reporting that their friend had severely cut his arm on a glass door. Sergeant Peter Michaleas was the first officer to arrive and immediately took command of a tense scene.   

While playing, the child had accidently thrust his arm through a glass windowpane, severing a major artery. Recognizing the severe blood loss and impending shock, Sgt. Michaeleas maintained complete composure, reassuring the terrified youth that help was here and their friend would be okay. Taking decisive, life-saving actions, Stg. Michaleas applied a tourniquet to halt the arterial bleeding and stabilized the child. He then coordinated aviation support to medevac the boy to the nearest trauma center for emergency treatment.   

Sgt. Michaleas’ leadership, calm demeanor under pressure, and immediate medical intervention directly saved the life of a child.