October 20, 2023
HORNELL, NY – The graduation ceremony for the 2023 Alfred State College Police Academy was held Friday evening at the Main Place, on Main Street, Hornell.
The graduates of this year’s Police Academy were: Conner Abbey (Phase I & II Allegany County Sheriff’s Office) Tanner Berglund (Phase I & II, Hornell Police Department and Platoon Leader) David Dubios (Corning Police Department, Session Class Leader) Matthew Hanrahan (Phase I & II, Hornell Police Department) David Locher (Phase I & II, SUNY Oswego University Police) Hunter Little, (Phase I & II, Livingston County Sheriff’s Department) Jeffrey Robinson (Phase I & II, Steuben County Sheriff’s Department) Trevor Stiles, Phase I & II, Hornell Police Department and Platoon Leader) Matthew Tetreault (Phase II, Avon Police Department).
The graduates of this year’s Peace Office Academy were: Mya Carney (Peace Officer, Wyoming County Probation Department) James Cummings (Peace Officer, Alfred University Public Safety) Kirsten Davis, Peace Officer, Allegany County Probation Department) Nathan Hatch (Peace Offier, Allegany County Probation Department) Nichole Helmer (Peace Officer, Allegany County Probation Department) Amy Rafoth (Peace Officer, NYS Department of Financial Services) Brittany Sanford (Peace Officer, Schuyler County Sheriff’s office) Matthew Wandover (Peace Office, Alfred University Public Safety) Robert Wandover (Peace Officer, Alfred University Public Safety, Sarah Wittrock (Peace Officer, Cattaraugus County Probation Department).
The evening’s master of ceremonies was Alfred State College Academy Director Scott Richardson. Richardson introduced the speakers, and talked to the graduating students about the importance of police work. Also present was Alfred State College President, Dr. Steven Mauro. Mauro had high words of praise for the 2023 graduates. “We all rely on you so very much,” Mauro said. “You are there to enforce the law, but you are doing so much more than that. You are often, the first health care responders.” “It’s an honor and a privilege, and I’m very, very humbled, to be in this room with the graduating class, it’s very humbling. To be in a room full of heros,” said Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. “Evil exists,” said State Senator Tom O’Mara. “You have chosen to step up and confront that. To do that, in these political times, I commend you all the more.” Former Congressman Joe Sempolinski was also present for the event. “I also would like to recognize the family members,” Sempolinski said to the crowd. “I’m excited to see, what looks to be spouses, and parents, here for this event, and the children, and the entire family. You should be so proud, and don’t think that we don’t appreciate the sacrifices that you make, to support your law enforcement family member, as they support the community.”
