112th Precinct officer honored after 20 years of service

At the end of 2006, the 112th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Dave Valovage will begin his retirement from the New York Police Department (NYPD) after serving the Forest Hills and Rego Park communities for nearly 20 years.
&#8220Officer Valovage has served the community so long and with such dedication that he is much more to the community than a police officer,” said 112th Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Richard Napolitano. &#8220To the communities of Forest Hills and Rego Park, Dave is a trusted friend and can always be counted on for help. He is an outstanding police officer and will surely be missed.”
While working as a junior high school science teacher, Valovage recalled a friend telling him that there is something for everyone at the Police Department, and he enrolled in the Academy in 1987. Valovage first came to the 112th in 1988 where he worked as a patrol officer and in crime prevention units for a number of years before taking a position in the precinct's community affairs office.
&#8220I believe in community and community awareness,” said Valovage, who currently sits on the board of Community Board 5 near his Maspeth home. &#8220I believe that getting involved is very important in preserving neighborhoods.”
During his time as Community Affairs Officer, Valovage has established a real connection with the community by attending neighborhood meetings and events and reaching out to the local politicians in the area.
&#8220I got to know them working as a community affairs officer, and they have been very supportive of me and I have been a trusted friend of theirs,” Valovage said.
One of the local politicians Valovage has formed a close friendship with is City Councilmember Melinda Katz who had nothing but kind words for Valovage.
&#8220Officer Valovage became more than a Police Officer protecting our neighborhoods; he became a cherished friend to colleagues, residents, business owners, and elected officials,” Katz said. &#8220I wish Dave all the success and happiness in the future. I know that he will be missed by all who have had the opportunity to work with him and those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
Barbara Stuchinski, President of the Forest Hills Community & Civic Association and Heidi Harrison Chain, President of the 112th Precinct's Community Council both recently honored Valovage at their respective organizations' holiday parties.
&#8220He has been wonderful with the community,” Harrison Chain said. &#8220He has always been very friendly, always been very professional, and he has been a wonderful face of the police department.”
In addition to the community, Valovage has also formed close relationships with his fellow officers.
&#8220Dave's a great guy; his heart is with this community,” said Officer Tim Everoski, who worked in the 112th Community Affairs office with Valovage. Everoski said that seeing Valovage's commitment to the community and learning from his leadership skills has been an inspiration to him.
&#8220I know he loves this community,” said Captain Stacey Rabinowitz, who is also the Executive Officer of the 112th. &#8220He always took the time to address each issue and go out of his way to help people in the neighborhood.”
When asked about a single moment that sticks out in his mind throughout his 20 years on the force, Valovage recalled working at the Family Center during the days following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He described the horrific event and having to help family members identify their loved one's bodies, but he also remembered the spirit of his fellow officers as well as everyone coming together to help each other during the tragic events.
During his tenure at the 112th, Valovage has noticed changes in the community, and he describes them as changes for the better.
&#8220Crime is down in the last 13 years about 80 percent, which is a remarkable number,” he said. &#8220Knowing that in my little way that I helped with that, making people aware of crime prevention techniques,” brings him a great deal of satisfaction.
Although Valovage is moving onto another part of his life, which has him working as a registered nurse, he maintains that he is still going to be involved in the area, continuing to serve on Community Board 5.
&#8220I have mixed emotions. I am moving onto something else, but I am also sad because these people are like family to me,” Valovage said. &#8220They call me all the time, on a daily basis, so I am going to miss them.”