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NYPD Columbia Association News & Updates
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Columbia Association of the Police Department, City of New York
COLUMBIA NEWS
Hello all of Columbia:
Welcome back! I hope that you
all have had an enjoyable and
safe summer. The summertime
was a very busy time for all of
us. The Columbia Association
held its annual Giglio Feast lift
on Sunday July 21, 2013 at Our
Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Williamsburg Brooklyn.
Notable Columbia members
that attended this event and
participated in the Giglio lift
were retired Chief of Department Joseph J. Esposito,
Chief of Intelligence Thomas Galati, Deputy Chief
Chaplain Robert J. Romano, Inspector John
Corbisiero, Inspector Peter Deblasio, Doctor Joseph
Ciuffo, Board Officer Emanuel Rossi and myself. This
was the 126th Giglio Feast. The street festival was
brought to Brooklyn by Italian immigrants more than
100 years ago to celebrate the return of Saint
Paulinus from captivity. Thousands of families come
out for the festival and many say the best part is
celebrating their Italian heritage.
On Thursday July 25, 2013 Chief of
Organized Crime Control, Chief Anthony J. Izzo had
his walk out from Police Headquarters. Bureau Chief
Anthony J. Izzo dedicated over 40 years to the New
York City Police Department and the City of New
York. The Columbia Association wishes Bureau
Chief Anthony J. Izzo and his family a healthy and
happy retirement.
From Sunday August 4, 2013 until Friday
August 9, 2013 the Columbia Association held its
annual Lake George Trip. The weather at Lake
George was beautiful! All that attended this event
had a wonderful time. The cherished time spent
together with all the families will last a lifetime.
Personally, I had a wonderful time with my sister
Angela and my beautiful daughters Caterina and
Alivia. My brother John attended the event again this
year and had a spectacular time with his girlfriend
Sue and her kids, Michael and Grace. Board Officer
Tony Quagliariello attended the event with his wife
Eileen and their two children Christopher and
Jennifer who had a wonderful time. Retired Columbia
member Mike Villa and his wife Noel and their two
children Henry and Charlie had a blast. Retired
Columbia Board Officer Marc Marino and his wife
Kim along with their two children Sal and Jenna had a
great time. Columbia member John Giangrasso and
his wife Celeste and their two children Adriana and
Anthony had a spectacular time. I would like to
personally thank all of the Columbia members along
with their families for their continued support and
for helping to make this year’s event successful.
September 10, 2013 was Fraternal Day at the
Police Academy. I would like to express my gratitude
to Board Officer’s Kendra Damante, Chris Pizzo,
Mike Alfieri, Louis Corrente and Anthony Burgio and
Columbia Delegate’s Anthony Mannuzza and Charina
D’Aiuto for helping to sign up over 150 new
Columbia members from the recruitment class.
On September 29, 2013 we held our 6th
Annual Motorcycle Tour in remembrance of
Detective Anthony J. Venditti. This year marked the
27th anniversary of Detective Anthony J. Venditti’s
passing. The Columbia Association will never forget
our fallen heroes. Detective Anthony J. Venditti’s
mother, Anna Venditti, his wife Patricia and their
four daughters along with their children participated
in this event and it was our honor to have them all
with us. We rode past Anthony J. Venditti Square
located on Myrtle Avenue and Saint Nicholas Avenue
in Ridgewood, Queens. The square was revitalized and looks spectacular. The most recent project
created more open design elements and planting
areas around the plaza. The Detective Anthony J.
Venditti Clock Tower is still working and a carillon
plays Westminster chimes on the quarter hour. On
the memorial plaque is the inscription “Down these
mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean;
who is neither tarnished nor afraid”. The post-party
barbeque was held at The Elks Lodge located at 3250
Richmond Avenue in Staten Island. Detective
Anthony J. Venditti was one of the founders of the
Blue Knights Bronx chapter. I would like to
personally thank all of the Blue Knight Chapters for
their participation in this event. Very special thanks
to Columbia Board Officers John Peruffo, John
Delgaudio and Rocco Ruscitto and to Columbia
member Lieutenant Tony DiPalma for making this
event memorable.
On October 13, 2013 we held the annual
Columbus Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in
Columbus Circle. I want to thank all of the Columbia
Association civil service groups that participated in
Affiliated with the National Council of Columbia Associations
In Civil Service, Inc. and the National Coalition of
Italian American Law Enforcement Organizations
Fraternity n Integrity n Charity
VOL.47, NO. 2 September - October 2013 SINCE 1932
Our President’s Message….
this event and the Italian Consulate General, Natalia
Quintavalle, for her attendance. A special thanks to
Joseph A. Guagliardo, the President of the National
Council of Columbia Associations in Civil Service, for
coordinating the entire event.
On October 14, 2013 we held our Columbus
Day Parade on 5th Avenue. The Columbia Association
celebrated mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with his
Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of
New York. The Columbia Association then formed
up on 47th Street and 5th Avenue and led the
Columbus Day Parade up 5th Avenue. This year’s
Columbus Day Parade was a huge success! It was a
beautiful day for a Parade. I want to take this
opportunity to thank this year’s Columbia
Association’s Columbus Day Parade Grand Marshal,
retired Chief of Organized Crime Control Bureau,
Anthony J. Izzo, for accepting the Grand Marshall honor and marching in the parade with us. We want
to thank him for all of his support for the men and
women in the New York City Police Department
Columbia Association. I also would like to express
my gratitude to the following people who marched
with the Columbia Association along 5th Avenue; The
Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, the
New York City Police Commissioner, Honorable
Raymond W. Kelly, the Chief of Internal Affairs,
Charles V. Campisi, Chief of Intelligence Thomas
Galati, Deputy Chief Chaplain Robert J. Romano,
Department Chaplain Monsignor David L. Cassato,
Inspector Joseph Gallucci, Inspector John Corbisiero
and Inspector Peter DeBlasio, President of the
Detective Endowment Association Michael Palladino,
Vice-President Paul DiGiacomo and the Vice-
President of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association
John Puglissi. I would like to thank the Italian Police
Officers that marched in the Columbus Day Parade
from different parts of New York, such as Suffolk
County, Nassau County and different parts of this
country, such as New Jersey, Boston and
Connecticut. I would like to thank the Police Officers
that marched from Italy, especially the Italian
Caribinari and the Italian Polizia Di Stato. I would be
remiss if I did not thank the whole Columbus Citizens
Foundation that puts this whole Columbus Day
Parade together. Most of all I would like to thank all
the members of the Columbia Association who
marched along 5th Avenue and showed support to their organization. The luncheon held again this year
at Wallace Hall. This new location was enjoyed by all
that attended. The air conditioning was an excellent
touch! I would like to thank Cono Colombo, the
owner of LaLocanda Restaurant in Brooklyn, who
catered the event. The food was excellent. The event
would not have been a success if not for the
generous donation made by Jason Rapport of ICC
Mortgage Services. The Columbia Association would
like to express its biggest gratitude to Board Officer
Manny Rossi and his family and to Board Officer
Salvatore Ferrante for all that was done to make this
event successful. I would like to take this opportunity
to personally congratulate Salvatore Farrante on his
promotion to Detective. Buona Fortuna.
Congratulations are in order for the most
senior uniformed member of the Police Department
and an outstanding Columbia Association member,
Lieutenant Anthony “Tony” DiPalma. On Friday
October 25, 2013 Lieutenant Tony DiPalma had his
walk out from the 123 Precinct. Lieutenant Tony
DiPalma dedicated over 40 years to the New York
City Police Department and the City of New York.
The Columbia Association wishes Lieutenant
Anthony DiPalma and his family a healthy and happy
retirement.
Save the date for the Columbia Association’s
Children’s Christmas Party being held on December
8, 2013 at the Italian Charities Building located at 83-
20 Queens Boulevard. Monsignor David L. Cassato
will host the mass at 10:00 AM and the Children’s
Christmas Party festivities will begin at 11:00 AM.
Santa Claus will be there to hand out presents to all
the children in attendance.
These are some of the upcoming events that
are on the radar. Check the Columbia website
frequently to keep abreast of all pertinent
information.
The end of the year is right around the
corner! It is the time of year for happy events. Take
the time out to enjoy family and friends during this
holiday season. The Columbia Association would like
to wish all of their members a Happy Thanksgiving.
The next General Meeting will be held on Tuesday
November 26, 2013 at the Italian Charities of America building located at 83-20 Queens Boulevard.
There will be 10 turkeys raffled off at this meeting
Let us push for memberships! If you have not paid
your dues for 2013 please see your delegate or any
Board Officer and support your organization. The
expression goes: “we are only as strong as our weakest link”. You can download a membership
application on the Columbia website which is
www.nypdcolumbia.org. You can now register online
through NYCAPS Employee Self-Service (ESS) for
automatic payroll deduction for membership in the
Columbia Association. The website is www.nyc.gov/
ESS. We are the first fraternal group that has
automatic payroll deductions for its members. Please
take advantage of this historic option! Instructions on
how to get registered for the automatic payroll
deduction are on the Columbia Association’s website.
Until next time, stay true to the Columbia
Association.
.
PAGE 2 Columbia News September -October 2013
President’s Message Continued….
“Mr Italy”
Ciao, My Fellow Paisans
A lot has happened since our last issue. We lost two good men to retirement Chief Materasso and Chief of the Department Joseph Esposito. Both of these true Italians will be missed dearly. I had the op-portunity to attend Chief Esposito’s walk out and I must say that it was the largest attended walkout in my career and most say the largest ever. Unfortunate-ly I was unable to attend Chief Materasso’s retirement party due a death in the family, but I heard it was awesome 600 plus attended.
Recently I was contacted by someone who claimed to be related to me, Lieutenant Ralph Cilento. We had a conversation about some people I might know but his name came up blank. So I did some fami-ly research and spoke to my mother. My mom said “I know a Cilento, he was Aunt Rosie’s husband your grandfathers sister on your father’s side”. I said, “Wow what a small world, I guess I am related”. I followed up with him on a phone call and was able to chat with on being his third cousin. He also put me in contact with another cousin, Doug Cilento. Doug Ci-lento is a retired Agent in charge of the New Jersey Office for ATF. The reason this is all interesting and pertinent is that he was, thru his federal connections, able to trace the “Balsamo” name and history. Turns out I was able to trace my “Balsamo” lineage and find my ancestors came from the beautiful town of Sorren-to. Sorrento is case you didn’t know is a beautiful fish-ing village located along the Amalfi Coast, just south of Naples Italy. It was an ironic discovery to meet a family member who was also in law enforcement and a wonderful personal opportunity for me to learn where my family came from in Italy. What a great experi-ence!
Please take the time out and visit our Facebook
page at :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/
NYPDColumbiaassociation/
Join our mailing list and stay informed:
http://www.nypdcolumbia.org/geninfo/
joinemaillist.html
Until next issue, Ciao!
Ciao, Louis J. Balsamo… Editor
Executive Board
President ...............Anthony Cesarano............... (212) 274-4162
1st Vice President .....Rich Angeletti...................(718) 822-5815
2nd Vice President ......Emanuel Rossi.................(845) 902-0175
Executive Secretary .....R.J Coleman..................(212) 258-2840
Treasurer ................Kendra Damante.................(718) 972-7871
Recording Secretary.....Christopher Pizzo........ (212) 477-7444
Corresponding Secretary....Tony Quagliariello. (646) 210-9170
Sergeant At Arms ....Sal Ferrante….....................(718) 875-6850
Editor .......................Louis Balsamo................... (718) 845-2201
Public Relations Dir….....John DelGaudio............(917) 757-1456
Financial Secretaries
Manhattan …………...Anthony Burgio….… (212) 741-4811
Brooklyn……….……..Vincent Aprea……... (718) 629-1220
Queens …………….....Matthew Cioffi…….. (718) 476-7595
Bronx………………....Steven Berger……… (718) 548-1250
Staten Island ……....John Peruffo..……… (718) 876-7606
Retiree’s………….…..Nat Infurna ………… (516) 747-1389
Life Member………….Phil Repaci Sr……... (718) 758-4475
Trustees
Manhattan………….Russ Maturo………...…(212) 239-9801
Manhattan………….Louis Corrente……...…(212) 477-9790
Manhattan………... Andrew Carraro…..….(212) 927-3200
Brooklyn…………....Michael Mongelli……..(516) 732-5961
Brooklyn…..………….Brett Raso…………….(516) 476-2752
Brooklyn…………….Michael Spezio………..(917) 531-7787
Queens………………Stephen Salazer……….(718) 533-2011
Queens………………Dyanne Marzano…..….(718) 279-5200
Bronx……………. ...Richard Citarella…… .(718) 292-6161
Bronx………………..Rocco Ruscitto….…….(914) 755-0606
Staten Island ……...Michael Alfieri...…… (917) 575-0009
Citywide………...Alessandro Pizzirusso…(718) 876-8959
Directors & Advisors
Special Assistant to the President: Phil Panzarella …(631) 965-7290
Travel..................................John Martini.............(718) 848- 1858
Health……………………….………Dr. Brian Mignola (718) 816-9056
Legal…………………………...….Stuart Salles…..…...(212) 267-9090
Legal………………………...….James Moschella….…(212) 233-3800
Spiritual……………...DC Msgr. Robert Romano....(646) 610-6472
Spiritual…………………..…Msgr. David Cassato…(718) 259-9146
Past Presidents
Frank Ventura………………………...… (212) 610-6910
Paul DiGiacomo………………………..….(212) 587-1000
Giovanni Porcelli………………………....(718) 702-2200
Stephen P. Chiarini.............................(516) 887-5737
John Bucalo.........................................(631) 669- 9023
Editor’s spot
New York City Police Department
Columbia Association
Board of Officers wwwnypdcolumbia.org
PAGE 3 Columbia News September -October 2013
Financial Secretaries Corner
Manhattan
Anthony Burgio
Greetings Everyone! Please be sure to submit your 2013 Columbia membership dues asap to your pre-cinct delegate or via ESS if you haven't done so already. It is not too late. Offering a word of thanks to Manhattan Trustee Louie Cor-rente for coordinating the Scholar-ship exam which was held in March. Please show your support by attending our meeting and
events.
Until next time, be safe and wear your vests!!
Fraternally,
Brooklyn
Vincent Aprea
Bongiorno, Spring has finally decided descend on our fine city. Let me take this final note to once again push the value of member-ship on our association. Our Ital-ian heritage is rich and should be celebrated. As always, stay safe and be well. Vincent
Queens
Matthew Cioffi
Greetings from Queens! I want all the delegates to keep up the great work!! and welcome the following new delegates: Nick Romano Qns Gang ,Maria McSweeney Medical Division, Charlie Sadler, Lisa Ve-lotta, Chris Spagnola 104 Pct. Con-grats to Anthony, Andy, Vinny and John for their mega appetites in defeating the FDNY Columbia As-sociation at the Ravioli eating con-test at the new Times Square res-turant Buca di Beppo. Thanks to our President , Anthony, and Buca Di Beppo our scholarship fund is
$5,0000 richer ! Mangia!!! Members please support our upcoming events: See you at the next meeting.
Financial Secretaries Corner
Bronx
Steven Berger
To all members of the Bronx, our numbers are down from last year. If you have not paid you dues, please see you delegate, ASAP. Member-ship is what keeps our organization strong. Anyone who is interested in becoming a delegate, contact :Steve Berger, Bronx Financial Secretary, 917 440 6206. Thank you stay safe!
Staten Island
John Peruffo
See you in November.
Please pay your dues.
Life Member
Phil Repaci Sr.
I had the fortune of missing most of the coldest winter in awhile. I was in Florida a month and a half but not neglecting the Columbia Association. We had a mini Co-lumbia meeting in Lake Worth FL. as the picture below shows. These fellows are all from the nypd bowling league Left to right: AL Shreck (visited Italy once), Phil Guarnaccio, Mike Buonacore, and yours truly Phil
Repaci. And keeping with tradition we had a pizza party. We're all back now and back to normal. Happy Easter to all. PS. In case you don’t want your name published in the news about having a firearm contact your union for the form and send it in to your local municipality. Very simple.
PAGE 4 Columbia News September -October 2013
RETIRED DESK:
By Nat Infurna
Retired Financial Secretary
Retired Members Financial Secy
MEMBERSHIP as of Apr.30, 2013
RETIRED ...........................406
LIFE...................................1027
DELINQUENT.................. 45
LIFE MEMBER................EDWARD RANIERI
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS..................JOSEPH OLEARY
PAUL PETRO
THE FOLLOWING MEMERS HAE NOT PAID THEIR DUES FOR 2013:
JOSEPH ALAGNA CHRISTINA FRASCO
MATHEW MIONE PHIL ATWELL
THOMAS FRAUMENI JAMES MORAN
ANNETTE BENEVENTO PAUL FRIEDLANDER
VINCENT MOSSA SAL BONAVENTURA
THOMAS GANGONE SCOTT NASTAZIO
BRUCE BOVINO DEBORAH GANGONE
AL NERI JAMES CAPUTO
THOMAS GAVIGAN STEPHEN NICASTRO
FRANK CAPOGROSSO MICHAEL GUARRIELLO
ROBERT OMALLEY CHRIS DELSANTE
HELEN IEMOLA PAT OSTUNI
ANDREW DESTEFANO ANTHONY LACORAZZA
JOHN PAOLUCCI ANTHONY DIGIORGIO
JOHN MARONE ROBERT PASQUALONE
EDWARD MARTELLO JOSEPH WEIBEL
MICHAEL ROCCO LOUIS ELROSE
PETER METTI JERRY ROSIELLO
WILFRED ROY ROSEANN RUSSO
TONI SCARITO JOSEPH TANNUZZO
DAN TORTORELLI PETER TOSCANO
LAURIE UNICK JOSEPH VALDINA
THOMAS DIMARCANTONIO
DUES IS $25.00. Make Check Payable to Columbia Association NYPD.
Mail to Nat Infurna 188 Brown St Mineola NY 11501.
EVENTS
GENERAL MEETING NOV 26 7PM
PRAYERS FOR ALL MEMBERS SICK AT HOME OR CONFINED TO A NURSING HOME AND ALL MEMBERS ON PATROL TO KEEP THEM SAFE
UNTIL THE NEXT ISSUE..............CIAO!!!!!!!
Death Announcements
The Columbia Association Mourns The Loss Of:
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Frances Calderone wife of life member and past board officer William Calderone
۩Pray for the repose soul of Life Member Michael Caccavale ۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life Member Samuel Santangelo
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life Member Anthony Borriello
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life Member Carmelo Farese
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life Member Frank J. Rossi
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life Member Peter Taormina
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Mary Armellino Mother of Life Member Anthony Armellino
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life member Carmine Manzolillo
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life member Blaise J Sciame
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life member Nicholas Rungo
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Rafael's Biganini, Godmother of
President Anthony Cesarano and also his Aunt Carmelina Cesarano.
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Salvatore Ferrante, father of Board Officer
Sal Ferrante
Birth Announcement
PO George Bonura, TD34 and wife Julianne welcome their baby George II, born November 26, 2012
Sgt. Giuseppe Nero, 105 Pct and wife Danielle along with big brothers Joseph and Michael welcome baby Isabella, born May 23, 2012
Sgt Angelo Gentile Springfield Gardens Auto Pound and wife Christine along with big brother John welcome baby Ryan, born on March 6, 2013
Sgt Robert Morabito 105 Pct and wife Victoria welcome baby Isabella, born August 26, 2012
PAGE 5 Columbia News September -October 2013
Sorrento On The Almafi Coast
PAGE 6 Columbia News September -October 2013
Sorrento On The Almafi Coast
PAGE 7 Columbia News September -October 2013
Famous Italian Americans
A singer, songwriter and Oscar nominated actor, he aimed at the American dream. He married a teen movie queen, but then found out that his sister was really his mother, and died young. Walden Robert Cassotto was the son of an Italian-born cabinetmaker, and an accomplished musician who could play many in-struments. He made his debut on 14 May 1936 in the Bronx, New York. As a child, he suffered from severe rheumatic fever, which led to a scarred heart and an overprotective childhood. He was the focal point of a loving family who encouraged his love of music. He briefly attended Hunter College, then supported himself as a singing waiter and musician at a Catskills resort. After scratching out an existence as a commercial-jingle composer, he changed his name to Darin, and became a professional singer in 1956. He sent a demo record to up-and-coming record executive Don Kirschner, which resulted in a contract. Three flop singles later, Darin half-jokingly recorded a nonsense number titled 'Splish Splash', which turned out to be his first bonafide hit. Not wishing to be a typecast rock-and-roller, Darin adapted the old Kurt Weill and Bertoldt Brecht ballad, 'Moritat' into the top-selling 'Mack the Knife' (1959); this enabled him to break away from the bracket of teenage idol and broaden his appeal to adults. 'Mack the Knife' won a Grammy Award as Record of the Year, and Darin was voted Best New Artist. This sin-gle stayed in the top ten for 52 weeks, with nine of these being spent at number one. Darin was eventually picked up by Universal Pictures, to star in a series of lightweight but popular musical films, often co-starring his first wife, Sandra Dee. He starred in his first film in 1960 and wrote the soundtrack for 'Come September'. Darin met his future wife Dee while filming the movie. She was at the height of her career at the age of 16. They got engaged two months after meeting and wed on 7 March 1960. Their son Dodd Darin was born a year later. After turning in powerful dramatic performances in 'Pressure Point' (1962) and 'Captain Newman MD'(1963), Darin graduated from pop personality to serious actor; in fact, he was Oscar-nominated for his work in 'Newman'. He missed out on the award to Melvyn Douglas. Darin continued to appear in Las Vegas and on TV through the mid-60s, and worked extensively for Robert Kennedy during his 1968 presidential campaign. During this period he appeared in episodes of 'Wagon Train' (1964), 'Burke's Law' (1965) and 'Run For Your Life' in 1966 to name but a few. In 1967, he asked Dee for a divorce with the actress saying at the time that he woke up one morning and no longer wanted to be married. In reality, their careers had kept them apart as Darin toured night clubs across the US. The following year, Darin discovered his "mother" Polly was actually his grandmother and his "sister" Nina was really his mother. This painful revelation altered him for the rest of his life. After spending a year in seclusion, he decided to return to the public eye and started his own recording company called Direction Records. In 1969, he released the album 'Born Walden Robert Cassoto' before returning to TV. He was struggling with ill-health over this period, suffering a minor heart attack in January 1971, but he went on to enjoy roles in 'Ironside' (1971) and 'Night Gallery' in 1972 before making what would be his final appearance in 'Happy Mother's Day, Love George' in 1973. Darin even had time to remarry, wedding Andrea Joy Yeager on 26 June 1973 before returning to the Las Vegas stage. They divorced in October that year. Bobby Darin was in the process of making a comeback when he died in 1973, at the age of 37, following open-heart surgery. One of his heart valves needed to be replaced and a five-man team worked for over six hours to save his life. He died a few minutes after returning to the recovery room without regaining consciousness. It was ruled that he was just too weak to recover from the surgery. He had no formal funeral ceremony as he donated his body for medical research purposes. Darin's legacy lives on as his voice was used in 'Sesame Street' between 1989 and 1993 singing 'Splish Splash'. His voice and songs have also been used on the soundtracks of 'Goodfellas' (1990), 'Apollo 13' (1995), 'You've Got Mail' (1998), 'American Beau' (1999) and 'Nip/Tuck' in 2009.
I recommend seeing the motion picture “Beyond The Sea” Directed by Kevin Spacey who also stared with John Goodman. The movie was a brief biography about Bobby Darin. I give it 4 Stars “****”
PAGE 8 Columbia News September -October 2013
The President addressing the future of the Columbia Association All of these fine officers joined the Association that day .
Great Job!!! Anthony, your doing a fine job being a Stewart of this Great organization.
Rising Star Promotion Sergeants class at Italian Charities
with instructor Captain Anthony Raganella.
PAGE 9 Columbia News September -October 2013
Ravioli Eating Contest @ Buca di Beppo
The FDNY -vs- the NYPD and of course the NYPD won.
Thank god for John Delgaudio who ate 50 Raviolis
and Won the Prize. Can you believe that little guy ate so much.
Mangia Johnny Mangia !!!!
PAGE 10 Columbia News September -October
PAGE 11 Columbia News September -October 2013
Support of NYPD Officer Richard DiGuglielmo
Please read and then go to http://www.richarddiguglielmo.org to sign the petition. Also, if you would like to write to the Governor also send us a copy of the letter at [email protected]
One day almost ten years ago, a tragic series of events took place in Dobbs Ferry, New York, that
would end one person’s life, ruin another man’s life, traumatize two families and shake up a community. There is a well-known
version of these events essentially authored–”spun” if you prefer–by Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Not sur-
prisingly, since reporters rely on the DA for so much of their information, Pirro’s version of the story was the one portrayed for the
most part in the media. An objective review of the facts, based on police reports, court documents and transcripts, tells a more
accurate, truer story. We invite you to make up your own mind, among other ways by imagining that you were Richard D. DiGug-
lielmo Jr.–”Richie”—an off-duty 11-year veteran of the New York City police department working at his family’s deli in Dobbs Ferry,
New York, on October 3, 1996.
October 3, 1996
At approximately 5:15 p.m., Charles Campbell left his Corvette in the parking lot of the DiGuglielmo’s Venice Deli. With just eight
parking spaces to be shared by three businesses, there were “Parking for Patrons Only” signs posted. As Mr. Campbell began
walking across the street to a pizza parlor, Richard DiGuglielmo Sr., Richie’s father, let him know that he had to move his vehicle.
Mr. DiGuglielmo made a second request, but Mr. Campbell did not reply and continued on and into the pizza parlor. In accordance
with a procedure approved by the Dobbs Ferry Police Department, Mr. DiGuglielmo then affixed a sticker to the window of Mr.
Campbell’s vehicle. Inside the pizza parlor, told of the parking procedure, Mr. Campbell said, “if he puts a sticker on my car, I’ll kick
his ass.” Then, seeing the sticker being put on his car window, Mr. Campbell ran out of the store and across the street. Richie, who
had come outside to see what was going on, instinctively stepped between Mr. Campbell and his father, whereupon Mr. Campbell,
in a fury, began punching Richie repeatedly in the face. Richie’s father and brother-in-law then entered the fray, which witnesses
described as looking like a “wrestling match.” After much struggle, Mr. Campbell said, “that’s it” and started to walk away. Believing
the incident to be over and that Mr. Campbell would drive away, Richie went back inside the deli to tend to his wounds. But Mr.
Campbell went only as far as the trunk of his car, and removed a metal baseball bat. Mr. Campbell, an amateur boxer in his thir-
ties, swung the bat with “full force swings,” according to an eyewitness, with the first blow landing on the knee of Mr. DiGuglielmo,
who was 54 years old and recovering from a heart attack. Then, as Mr. DiGuglielmo protected his head with his arms, Mr. Camp-
bell landed another mighty swing, fracturing Mr. DiGuglielmo’s hand as it protected his head. Mr. DiGuglielmo was hit so hard that
an eyewitness stated, “you could hear the smack a block away.” Another eyewitness exclaimed, “I was expecting to see Richie’s
head pop off. I was, like, ‘Oh my God.’” Inside the deli, Richie looked out the window and saw Mr. Campbell swing the bat at his
father, who was two or three feet away from Mr. Campbell. Fearing the next swing would kill his father, Richie grabbed the regis-
tered firearm kept beneath the counter, ran outside with the gun at his side, with the safety on, hoping he wouldn’t have to use it.
When he got outside the Deli, he saw his brother-in-law lying face down on the ground, not moving, and thought he was dead, and
Mr. Campbell hitting his father with the bat. Reacting in accordance with his police academy training, Richie fired “three shots to
center mass” at Mr. Campbell, then paused to “reassess the threat.” But it was over. Mr. Campbell had fallen to the ground, and he
died at the scene. Immediately following the incident, Richie contacted his Command at the New York Police Department in com-
pliance with standard procedure, which brought an investigative team to Dobbs Ferry. However, upon arriving at the Dobbs Ferry
Police Department, the team was denied access to Richie (and even denied access to a room with a telephone). Still, the investi-
gators from the city reviewed the facts and were overheard by two people-including a firefighter standing nearby-reporting the inci-
dent as a “clean shoot,” that is, in police parlance, a justifiable homicide. Nevertheless, within hours of the incident, Richie, his
father and brother-in-law were charged with Second Degree Assault and, hours after that, Richie was charged with murder.
PAGE 12 Columbia News September -October 2013
Trial and Media
Although Charles Campbell was black, and Richie and his family are white, the chief of police said the incident was not classified
as a bias crime because no witnesses had heard any racial epithets during the extended confrontation that preceded the shoot-
ing. Richie had walked a beat in the Bronx for a decade with no racial incidents and had many black friends and colleagues on
the force, including his own sergeant. The DiGuglielmo family were known to welcome friends and customers of any ethnic back-
ground into their home and deli. Thus, media coverage appeared fairly short-lived, on par with other, similar, unfortunate inci-
dents. This all changed five days after the incident, when DA Pirro held a televised news conference to announce that she was
charging Richie with a “bias crime” based, she said, on a witness who was prepared to testify to having heard racial slurs during
the confrontation. People who knew Richie were confounded. “There’s got to be more to it than this,” said an NYC transit officer
who knew Richie. “He’d never lose his cool and do something stupid.” Not long after DA Pirro’s press conference, the Rev. Al
Sharpton arrived in town and would be a regular presence, leading demonstrations outside the family’s deli in the year leading up
to the trial, and then in the courtroom. Despite all that, the record shows that once the 33-day trial began, out of a dozen witness-
es, Ms. Pirro failed to produce one who claimed to have heard racial slurs. But that didn’t stop her from walking into the court-
room during the trial and sitting next to Sharpton and Campbell family attorney Randolph Scott McLaughlin and holding his hand
in full view of the jury. Of the witnesses that did exist, some key ones that were supportive of the defense unexpectedly changed
their stories. For example, an eyewitness named Michael Dillon, a cable TV lineman, told reporters just after the incident that he
thought Richie was justified and acted in self-defense. “You see your father getting beaten with a bat, you got to do something
about it. So it’s self-defense from what I saw,” he said in an interview. However, a year later, when asked in court whether he
thought Richie had acted in self-defense, he answered, “After thinking about it, no.” According to defense lawyers, who had origi-
nally listed Dillon as one of their witnesses, Dillon only changed his story after police showed up at his job and told him his story
conflicted with that of his supervisor, who had also witnessed the incident. Dillon said police interviewed him five days after the
shooting, the day before DA Pirro publicly made her racial bias charge.
The Verdict
After three days of deliberations, the jury acquitted Richie of Intentional Murder and acquitted him of Assault. But it convicted him
of Second Degree Murder by “Depraved Indifference” and Richie received a sentence of twenty years to life. All three defendants
were acquitted of the assault charges. How did Richie get convicted of Murder by Depraved Indifference? It’s easy enough to
understand the notion of depraved indifference as it’s applied to an innocent bystander, say, caught in a crossfire. But Richie’s
police training (“three shots to center mass”) is designed to avoid that very possibility. What doesn’t make sense is that Richie
was charged and convicted of acting with depraved indifference in regard to Mr. Campbell’s life. Nobody is saying Richie didn’t
use force that anyone knows is clearly potentially deadly. His intention was certainly to “harm” Mr. Campbell, to the extent that
“harm” in this case means to “stop the imminent threat” of Richie’s father’s death from the blow of a baseball bat to the skull.
Since Richie’s conviction, several appeals courts have reversed cases based on similar scenarios, having concluded that the
DAs cast their net too wide in charging both Intentional and Depraved Indifference Murder and judges had misinterpreted and
misapplied the law regarding depraved indifference. Richie’s lawyers are now working on an appeal based on these precedents.
Has Justice Been Served?
What happened on October 3, 1996 was a tragedy, the culmination of a series of escalating events. Despite the verdict, the facts still beg the question of who caused the events of that day to happen. Was the shooting caused by the assault with the baseball bat, and was that caused by the wrestling, and was that caused by the punching, and was that caused by the sticker, and was that caused by the disregarding of a “no parking” sign? Did Mr. Campbell’s criminal record or the trace of drugs found in his blood at the autopsy play any role in the unfolding of events? Do guns kill? Do baseball bats? Richie did not wake up in the morning planning to shoot anyone. Nor does he deny that he did. Of course he regrets that a man lost his life. Every day of his dreary existence in the Eastern Correctional Facility, Richie regrets what happened that day. But in all honesty, it’s impossible for him to regret his part in it, which was to save his father’s life. Did Mrs. Pirro honestly believe that if the person swinging the metal bat at Richard’s father had been a white man, he would not have shot him, but instead would have let him strike his father in the head? This tragedy was not about race, despite what a DA positioning herself for re-election contended. Unable to produce any evidence of racial bias, prosecutors switched their theory midway to a crime of revenge. But once issues are framed in terms of bias, it’s not so simple to undo them. A defense lawyer said they had to go through some 140 jurors during jury selection be-cause so many local citizens were tainted by the bias charges. Circumstances didn’t help, as the trial got underway around the time of the Abner Louima incident. A man was not killed over a parking space, as some headline writers sensationalistically and blithely wrote. Mr. Campbell made a conscious decision to use deadly physical force, and Richie reacted with split-second timing, based on his law enforcement training, using deadly force against deadly force to protect his father from being killed. The New York State penal code sanctions police officers to use deadly force if they believe their life or the life of another is endangered.
Now in his 17th year of incarceration, Richie will go to his grave believing he didn’t face any good choices that day, because if he
had acted differently there’s a good chance he’d be free today to visit his father’s grave. “What I truly believe is that the decision I
made that day is the decision that saved my father’s life,” Richie has said. Shortly after that October afternoon, Richie told his
mother, “I never could have picked Daddy up off that parking lot.” If you had been in Richie’s place, and it had been your father,
what split-second choices would you have made?
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