Town of New Windsor Police Press Releases

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Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.

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        PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #25-12                                                                  Issued on: May 13, 2025

NWPD Holds Awards Ceremony and Monument Dedication

New Windsor, NYOn Monday, May 12th, the Town of New Windsor Police Department held its 40th Annual Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is held each year during National Police Week to celebrate the contributions of department members and partners, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our community safe.

In addition to recognizing several department members for their years of service to the department and/or the military, 39 awards were presented to 47 individuals or units. Police Chief Dan Valeri praised the award recipients, stating, “You inspire your fellow colleagues and set an example that we all strive to follow.” He went on to thank those in attendance for their support. He added, “remember that it’s the collective efforts of this entire department — from the officers on the street to the dispatchers behind the scenes to our civilian partners — that makes New Windsor a safer and stronger community. We all play an essential role in this work, and each of you contributes to our shared mission of serving with integrity, respect, and excellence.

Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti agreed stating, “Our community is stronger, safer, and more connected because of the unwavering commitment and professionalism shown by every member of our police department — both officers and civilian staff. We are deeply grateful for your service, and it is an honor to recognize your outstanding contributions at this year’s awards ceremony.”

As the ceremony continued, awards were presented to members of the New Windsor Police Department, Town of Newburgh Police Department, City of Newburgh Police Department, New York State Police, FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, and New Windsor Emergency Medical Services as well as civilians who assisted the department. The following awards were presented:

 

OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2024

Officer James W. Burke

LIFESAVING AWARD

Deputy Chief Brian G. Hollifield

Officer Kenneth K. Ferrier

EXCELLENT POLICE DUTY

Detective Bryan J. Lubarsky

Detective Kevin P. Moore

Detective Francis A. Pierri

Detective Anthony H. Weed (2)

Officer James W. Burke (2)

Officer Frederick R. Fayo IV

UNIT CITATION AWARD

Chief Daniel J. Valeri

Deputy Chief Brian G. Hollifield

Lieutenant Frederick R. Fayo III

Detective Sergeant Christopher P. Sylvester (5)

Sergeant Hannah M. Ward

Sergeant Alexander S. Ragni (3)

Sergeant Jason Ross (4)

Sergeant Ryan S. Sussman

Detective Jeremy J. Arcaro (7)

Detective Bryan J. Lubarsky (2)

Detective Kevin P. Moore (7)

Detective Francis A. Pierri (8)

Detective Anthony H. Weed (5)

Officer John T. Babcock (2)

Officer Joseph V. Bell

Officer Steven J. Bohr (2)

Officer James W. Burke (2)

Officer Brenden J. Byman (2)

Officer Frederick R. Fayo IV (2)

Officer Kenneth K. Ferrier

Officer Joseph D. Finnerty (2)

Officer Stefano G. Gagliardo (2)

Officer Cassidy C. Hazard

Officer William T. Hazard

Officer Jhonattan N. Josesanatana (3)

Officer Brian P. Levy (4)

Officer John A. Martin

Officer Saul Rivera

Officer Rafael A. Santiago (4)

Officer Hannah M. Schmitt

Officer Anthony J. Vega

Dispatcher Daniel L. Bennet

Dispatcher Christopher M. Butcher

Dispatcher Suzana Starr

Sergeant Kevin Jodice, City of Newburgh PD

Sergeant Francis Quinn, City of Newburgh PD

Detective Jason Fitzsimmons, Town of Newburgh PD

Detective Thomas O’Connell, Town of Newburgh PD

Detective Michael Sisia, Town of Newburgh PD

Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force

NYSP Aviation

NYSP VGNET (2)

HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS

Detective Francis A. Pierri

Officer Joseph V. Bell

Officer James Burke

Officer Brenden J. Byman

Officer Kenneth K. Ferrier

Officer Stefano G. Gagliardo

Officer Brian P. Levy (3)

Officer Tyler J. Prokosch

SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Lieutenant Frederick R. Fayo III, 35 Years

Chief Daniel J. Valeri, 25 Years

Sergeant Jason Ross, 20 Years

Officer John A. Martin, 20 Years

Deputy Chief Brian G. Hollifield, 15 Years

Sergeant Paul M. Cronk, 15 Years

Sergeant Matthew G. Frankl, 15 Years

Sergeant Alexander S. Ragni, 15 Years

Detective Seamus P. Gallagher, 15 Years

Detective Kevin P. Moore, 15 Years

Officer Joseph V. Bell, 15 Years

Officer Hardy K. Pierce, 15 Years

Officer Michael Y. Takeuchi, 15 Years

MILITARY SERVICE AWARD

Deputy Chief Brian G. Hollifield

Officer James Burke

Officer Brenden J. Byman

Officer Liam M. Conroy

Officer Peter Persoon

Officer Rafael A. Santiago

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Special Agent Thomas Anderson, FBI

Sergeant Francis Quinn, City of Newburgh PD

New Windsor EMS

CIVILIAN RECOGNITION AWARD

Jeffrey J. Barrett, Town of New Windsor

Stephen A. Bedetti, Town of New Windsor

 

Earlier in the day a ceremony was held to dedicate a monument outside police headquarters honoring the department’s K-9 Unit. The unit, which was officially formed in 1985, has been served by 14 past and 3 current teams. Many of the former handlers attended the ceremony along with the current members. Also in attendance were town officials and employees, police department staff and the current K-9 class and their trainers from the Orange County Sheriff’s K-9 School. Chief Valeri thanked Town Supervisor Bedetti and the Town Board for their support and commitment to the unit. He went on the thank, former chief, Michael Biasotti for his vision and leadership that laid the foundation for the department’s K-9 program, as well as the past and current handlers for their service and commitment. The chief said, “This monument stands as a tribute to every K-9 who wore the badge and served with honor. May it remind us all of their loyalty, bravery, and the unbreakable bond they shared with those who walked beside them.”

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Arrests Made Following Search Warrant

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Noise Complaints Lead to Citation

Arrests Made in Illegal Dumping at Former Destinta Theatres Lot

On February 6th, 2025, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, along with the New York State Police, New York State Office of the Professions, and the Town of New Windsor Building Department, conducted an undercover investigation into prostitution and unlicensed/illegal massages being conducted at several locations throughout the Town of New Windsor.

This investigation was initiated after the Town of New Windsor Police Department received continued complaints from local residents and local businesses reporting suspicious activity occurring at these locations.


The following persons were arrested at the following businesses:

Vivi Spa – 3141 Rt 9W Suite 600
- Kun Jhao, 37, of Syosset, NY – Unauthorized Practice of a Profession and Prostitution
- Hongshuang Yu, 37, of Syosset, NY – Promoting Prostitution 3rd Degree
- Nathan Rhodes, 40, of Long Branch, NJ – Promoting Prostitution 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree

Sun & Moon Spa – 357 Old Forge Hill Rd Suite 900
- Hongyu Quan, 58, of Flushing, NY – Unauthorized Practice of a Profession and Prostitution

A & A Spa – 357 Windsor Hwy
- In Ok Smith, 59, of East Haven, CT – Unauthorized Practice of a Profession and Prostitution

All defendants were released on appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in the Town of New Windsor Justice Court on March 11th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

The Town of New Windsor Building Department shut down the Vivi Spa at 3141 Rt 9W pending compliance with regulations. Building code violations were issued to the Sun & Moon Spa and A & A Spa.
 

Police Chief Daniel Valeri stated, “We will continue to use all legal remedies available to combat unlawful activities conducted within the town.”

Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti added, “My message to these illegal businesses is simple. Do not reopen and leave the Town of New Windsor. I have directed the New Windsor Police Department to use every legal path to continually shut down these illegal businesses in our town. Last night, our Police Department and other assisting agencies once again professionally handled this enforcement, a job well done by them."

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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On Sunday, January 19, 2025, at approximately 9:26 a.m., the New Windsor Police Department responded to the Amazon Distribution Center, on Hudson Valley Avenue, for a report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers located a 36-year-old male victim with a significant laceration to his neck.

A short time later, a male suspect, matching the description provided by the victim, was located in the area.. Loryn-Yael Gardner-Lawery, 27, of Middletown, NY, was arrested.

The victim was treated and transported by New Windsor EMS to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. Once at the hospital, the victim was in stable condition and he received treatment for the non-life-threatening injury.

Gardner-Lawery was transported to the Centralized Arraignment Part in Goshen, NY where he was arraigned in front of the Honorable Judge Martini and remanded to the Orange County Jail. His charges from this incident are Attempted Assault 1st Degree, a Class C Felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, a Class D Felony.

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The New Windsor Police Department has recently investigated several residential burglaries believed to be committed by international organized theft groups. Investigators want to remind residents to take precautions to avoid being victimized by these international criminals.

• Consider installing surveillance cameras and/or an alarm system.

• Do not leave large amounts of cash in your home.

• Do not post on social media when you are going away on vacation.

• Secure valuables and keep windows and doors locked.

The New Windsor Police Department encourages residents who observe suspicious persons or suspicious vehicles in neighborhoods to contact us immediately at (845) 565-7000 or by dialing 911.

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The Town of New Windsor Police Department recently responded to a call of illegal dumping in the area of Forge Hill Road and Butternut Drive. Upon arrival, officers located a pile of construction debris that was dumped in the area of Brewster’s Forge, an Orange County Park and historical landmark.

On January 13th, the Town of New Windsor Buildings & Grounds Department responded and removed all of the garbage from the area of Brewster’s Forge. The next day, members of the Orange County Department of Public Works responded and placed large boulders to prevent vehicles from being able to travel down the path from Forge Hill Road, to Brewster’s Forge. This will hopefully prevent anymore illegal dumping upon this historical site, without preventing residents from parking and accessing the area on foot. The New Windsor Police Department appreciates the assistance of the New Windsor Buildings & Grounds staff and the Orange County Department of Public Works in helping to improve and preserve this historical landmark.

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Man Arrested Following A Stabbing in New Windsor

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #24-16 Issued on: December 4, 2024
23rd Anniversary of Nancy Smith Homicide

On December 5, 2001, Nancy Smith, a 32-year-old female, was found deceased in her house on Provost Drive in New Windsor. On that day, Smith’s parents received a call from her office saying that Smith had not shown up to work at Horton Hospital in Middletown. Concerned, they went to check on Smith at her New Windsor home on Provost Drive, where they found her deceased on the living room floor. Nancy’s death was the result of a vicious attack and the investigation into her murder began.

As the 23rd Anniversary of Nancy’s death approaches, the Detectives from New Windsor Police Department are, once again, asking for the community’s assistance in identifying Nancy’s killer. The New Windsor Police Department would like to encourage members of the community to call us with any information they may have about this murder. Any piece of information would help, no matter how small or insignificant a person may feel their information would be. For 23 years, investigators and family members have been trying to find the missing pieces to the puzzle for this crime. There is a reward of $35,000 being offered, for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Nancy’s death.

Investigators working this investigation can be reached at 845-563-4678 or by email at kmoore@newwindsor-ny.gov.