By Katy GAgnon
The 111th Precinct's top cops were given their due last week.
The precinct, which serves neighborhoods Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Oakland Gardens and Auburndale, recognized outstanding members of its staff June 4 during an annual awards ceremony at the Adria Hotel on Northern Boulevard. The awards honored an outstanding police officer, a veteran detective, two dedicated auxiliary officers and a hardworking aide who performs the job of two.
Officer Anthony Giordano received the “Police Officer of the Year” award.
Giordano, who works the overnight shift at the precinct, left his post at a Brooklyn precinct to join the 111th Precinct in July 2006.
Since then, he has made numerous arrests for assault, reckless endangerment, graffiti and driving while intoxicated offenses. His arrests include 38 in 2007 and 21 so far this year.
“He's always willing to lend his experience and assistance to fellow officers,” said Anja Granelle, a community affairs officer for the 111th Precinct.
Detective Milton Calix, an 18-year NYPD veteran who has made more than 300 arrests in his career, was honored as the precinct's “Detective of the Year.”
Calix was selected for the award because of his work in solving the murder of a Little Neck man who was found beaten and stabbed to death in Admiral Park Dec. 26, said Sgt. Shane Markey, who works with Calix at the precinct.
In the case, it was very difficult to get anyone to cooperate with police, Markey said, but Calix worked around the clock to build rapport and trust with the victim's family, which eventually lead to solving the case.
“He's very, very good at what he does,” Markey said.
Calix, who came to the precinct in 2002, was promoted to second-grade detective last August.
Two outstanding auxiliary officers also were honored at the ceremony.
Auxiliary Police Officers Robert DeCaro, 31, and Stephen Inserra, 28, were selected as this year's “Auxiliary Police Officers of the Year.”
DeCaro and Inserra have been steady partners since they joined the volunteer police program over 10 years ago and because of their experience, the duo often train other auxiliary officers.
Finally, the woman who makes sure the 134 officers on staff at the precinct are paid was recognized as “Police Administrative Aide of the Year.”
Nadia Walters, who works in payroll and was honored with the award, is very hardworking and does a job that once belonged to two people, Granelle said. “That's why she was given that award.”
Reach reporter Katy Gagnon by e-mail at kgagnon@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext 174.
