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For second straight year, Riverhead officer named top DWI cop

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Riverhead Police Officer Timothy Murphy and Chief David Hegermiller (Credit: Courtesy photo)
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Riverhead Police Officer Timothy Murphy and Chief David Hegermiller (Credit: Courtesy photo)

How many driving while intoxicated arrests does it take to be the “top cop” in Suffolk County? Riverhead police officer Timothy Murphy can tell you: exactly 118.

Mr. Murphy, who was named one of the top DWI officers in 2012, was again honored as the county’s top DWI cop during a ceremony that recognized 23 officers from across the county for their arrests. 

This year’s award marks the third time since 2010 that Mr. Murphy has earned the honor and continues a streak of more than a decade near the top of county-wide DWI arrests.

Mr. Murphy’s arrests were among the 5,692 DWI arrests made in 2013 and more than 15,000 DWI arrests in the past three years.

“It is extremely important to us that motorists who are driving while intoxicated are stopped,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “DWI tragedies don’t just affect those involved, they impact the families of victims as well.”

In 2013, 51 people were killed in Suffolk County by the reckless behavior of drunk drivers as compared to 47 the previous year.  Although DWI fatalities have declined by 56 percent since 1979, Suffolk County recognizes that many challenges remain.

“Suffolk County will not tolerate drunk driving on our roadways,” Mr. Bellone said. “We remain committed to arresting anyone who chooses to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car, endangering the lives of others.”

The other officers honored were:

  • Christopher Drake (Town of Shelter Island)
  • Carl Schottenhamel (Town of Southampton)
  • Rory Flatley (Town of Southold)
  • Joseph Slack (Village of Amityville)
  • Steven Niggles (Village of East Hampton)
  • Micheael Gigante (Village of Northport)
  • John Galvin (Village of Quogue)
  • Sashley Jones (Village of Southampton)
  • Steven McManus (Village of Westhampton)
  • Vincent Rantinella (Town of East Hampton)
  • Michael P. Grosso (New York State)
  • Greg Sandbichler (Suffolk County Parks)
  • Brian Rasiak (Suffolk County Sheriff)
  • David Leath (SCPD 1st Precinct)
  • Harry Jos (SCPD 2nd Precinct)
  • Chris Anskat (SCPD 3rd Precinct)
  • Doug Nassisi (SCPD 4th Precinct)
  • Jamie Bustamante (SCPD 5th Precinct)
  • Anthony Legotti (SCPD 6th Precinct)
  • Brandon Neal (SCPD 7th Precinct)
  • William Murray (SCPD Highway Patrol)
  • Roger Kleber (SCPD SAFE-T Team)