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Riverhead officer among the top DWI-catching cops again

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For the fourth year running, Riverhead Town police officer Timothy Murphy has been named the department’s top DWI-catching cop.

Mr. Murphy, along with 22 other officers and sheriffs across Suffolk County, were honored Tuesday at Suffolk County Community College for making the most drunken driving arrests in their departments.

“It is extremely important to us that motorists who are driving while intoxicated are stopped,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.  “DWI tragedies don’t just affect those involved, they impact the families of victims as well.  Suffolk County will not tolerate drunk driving on our roadways.  We are committed to arresting anyone who chooses to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car, endangering the lives of others.

For Mr. Murphy, it was the fourth straight year he was named a top DWI cop, and the fifth time he was honored since 2010.

Police in Suffolk County made more than 15,000 DWI arrests in the past 3 years.

Other local cops were honored Tuesday include Southold Town police officer Garrett Lake, Shelter Island officer Christopher Drake, who was also honored last year, and Southampton Town officer Keith Phillips.

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Photo: From left, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Riverhead Town police officerTimothy Murphy and chief Chief David Hegermiller. (Credit: Courtesy)