cop of the year

This citation is awarded annually to a Clifton Police Officer after careful consideration of, but not limited to, the following qualities:

• Job Performance
• Dedication to Duty
• Attitude
• Appearance
• Reliability
• Public Service Involvement
• Other Areas of Distinguished Service

Annual Recipients

• 2025 – Det. Kevin Collucci / P.O. Samantha Litchfield
• 2024 – Det. Edward Welsh / P.O. Nicholas Garruto
• 2023 – D/Sgt. Michael Davey
• 2022 – Det. Thomas J. Sucameli / P.O. William Gibson
• 2021 – Det. Robert Marks
• 2020 – N/A
• 2019 – N/A
• 2018 – Det. Steven Farrell
• 2017 – P.O. Timothy Taffin
• 2016 – P.O. Glen Arthur
• 2015 – Det. Michael Panepinto
• 2014 – Det. Gary V. Giardina
• 2013 – Det. Wayne Stine
• 2012 – P.O. David Roe
• 2011 – Det. Sgt. Robert Bracken
• 2010 – Det. Timothy Kaminski
• 2009 – Det. Carmen Bermudez
• 2008 – Det. Edgar Ruiz
• 2007 – P.O. John Kavakich
• 2006 – P.O. Randy Colondres
• 2005 – Det. Douglas Miller
• 2004 – Det. Christian Vassoler
• 2003 – P.O. Michael Humenik
• 2002 – Det. Gary Passenti
• 2001 – P.O. Roger Schneider
• 2000 – P.O. Mark Centurione
• 1999 – Det. Michael McLaughlin
• 1998 – P.O. William Gibson
• 1997 – P.O. David Brancato
• 1996 – P.O. Daniel Dvorak
• 1995 – P.O. Thomas Campbell
• 1994 – P.O. Warren Lee
• 1993 – P.O. Douglas Cowan
• 1992 – Det. Nicholas Donato
• 1991 – P.O. Harold VanWinkle
• 1990 – P.O. John Sloth
• 1989 – Det. Michael Kotora
• 1988 – P.O. Timothy Lyons
• 1987 – P.O. Garret Bekker
• 1986 – P.O. Gary F. Giardina
• 1985 – Det. Edward Snack
• 1984 – P.O. Vito Collucci, P.O. Daniel Rocco (VFW, K of C)
• 1983 – P.O. Joseph Bonpietro, P.O. Alan Franco (JC’s, K of C)
• 1982 – P.O. Alan Franco (JC’s); P.O. Vito Collucci (K of C)
• 1981 – P.O. Joseph Genchi, P.O. Paul Tomanek (JC’s, K of C)
• 1980 – P.O. John Zipf (K of C)
• 1979 – P.O. John Gurcak, P.O. Richard Onorevole (K of C, JC’s)
• 1978 – P.O. William Cooke, P.O. Michael Luipersbeck, Det. Sigmund Nowacki (VFW, K of C, JC’s)
• 1977 – P.O. Richard Bulaga, Det. Lester Fecko, P.O. Richard Less (VFW, JC’s, K of C)
• 1976 – P.O. Jenaro Declet Jr. (JC’s)
• 1975 – Sgt. Robert Kelly, Det. Edward Snack (VFW, JC’s)
• 1974 – P.O. Russ Banta, P.O. Louis Alvino (JC’s, VFW)
• 1973 – P.O. Louis Alvino, P.O. Richard Kemp (JC’s, VFW)
• 1972 – Det. Robert Genneken (JC’s)
• 1971 – Sgt. Jacques Rutler (VFW)
• 1970 – P.O. Robert Kelly (JC’s)
• 1969 – P.O. John VanBlarcom (JC’s)
• 1968 – Sgt. Max Haertel (JC’s)
• 1967 – Capt. Edward Kredatus (JC’s)
• 1966 – P.O. Louis Slanina (JC’s)
• 1965 – Det. Sgt. Frank Sperlazzi, Det. John Matt (JC’s)

Key

• AL = American Legion
• JC’s = Jay Cees
• VFW = Veterans of Foreign Wars
• K of C = Knights of Columbus