SARATOGA SPRINGS

POLICE DEPARTMENT
5 LAKE AVENUE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866-2298
518-584-1800
Fax 518-584-1744

GREGORY J. VEITCH
Chief of Police

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Police Announce Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen and Chief of Police Greg Veitch have
announced a number of awards issued to officers for the period of 2012-2013. The following awards
were presented to each of the officers by Commissioner Mathiesen at a ceremony held on Tuesday,
October 21, 2014 in the City Council Room in City Hall.
Life Saving Award to Officer John Bateholts. Responding to a call for service on July 10, 2012,
Officer John Bateholts found an unconscious victim who was not breathing and had no pulse. Officer
Bateholts began CPR and was able to revive the individual prior to the arrival of additional medical
assistance, thus saving the persons life. Officer Bateholts has since taken a position with the Warren
County Sheriffs Department.
Gallantry Star Excellent Arrest awards to Sergeants Jason Mitchell and Aaron Benware and Unit
Citations to Officers Chris Allen, Aaron Moore and John Guzek. On October 24, 2013 the police
department received a report of shots fired. Responding officers established a perimeter, made entry
into the location where the shooter had been observed and subsequently arrested the individual,
removing a violent threat to the community.
Gallantry Star Excellent Arrest awarded to Investigator Laura Emanatian for her undercover
work in a lengthy investigation resulting in the arrest of an individual who was arrested after travelling
to Saratoga Springs with the intent of sexually assaulting a minor female.
Grand Cordon awarded to Sergeant Aaron Benware and Unit Citations to Investigator Glen
Vidnansky and Officers Dan Mullan, Jr, Mark Leffler, Kristin Van Wert, Aaron Moore and Adam
French. On May 22, 2012 officers responded to an assault near the intersection of Grand Avenue and
South Franklin Streets. The offender was quickly located hiding in the area, the crime scene secured and
assistance provided to the victim. The investigation revealed that the offender had randomly attacked a
female who was waiting in the area for her husband to finish work. As a result of the officers actions
that night the assault was interrupted, preventing further harm to the victim, and the offender was
arrested and convicted of multiple felonies.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

POLICE DEPARTMENT
5 LAKE AVENUE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866-2298
518-584-1800
Fax 518-584-1744

GREGORY J. VEITCH
Chief of Police

Grand Cordon to Sergeant Benware and Honorable Service awards to Officers Dan Mullan, Jr
and Mark Leffler. On July 16, 2012 officers responded to a residential burglary involving an offender
who was armed with a handgun who had raped a female victim. The officers actions on this date led
directly to the arrest of the offender later that same morning. Officers Kiel Van Wagner, Steven Reside
and Sean OLeary (retired) along with Investigator Glenn Vidnansky were also awarded Letters of
Commendation for their efforts related to this incident.
Grand Cordon to Sergeant Gregory Santos and Unit Citations to Investigator Jim Bell and
Officers John Carey (retired) Matt Wilson, and Russell Faden. On November 30, 2012 police received a
report of a person running through yards in a residential area on the west side of the city. The offender
had run from responding officers and was not dressed appropriately for the weather. A search was
coordinated, eventually leading to the location of the offender who was in need of medical assistance
and in possession of a large amount of narcotics. The offender was treated by medical personnel and
charged with multiple felony drug charges.
Distinguished Service Award to Warren County Sheriffs Deputy Kevin Conine. On September
13, 2013 Deputy Conines assistance was requested in locating a missing suicidal person reported in
Saratoga Springs. Deputy Conine located the unconscious and unresponsive victim and provided the
necessary assistance to prevent a tragedy. Officers Thomas Sartin and Chris Allen along with
Dispatchers Joseph Decrosta and Charles Meagher (retired) received Letters of Commendation for their
efforts during this incident.
Distinguished Service Awards to members of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force for their
efforts in protecting children through internet based investigations. These investigations resulted in 44
total arrests by the unit during 2012 and 2013 including three arrests made in the City of Saratoga
Springs. Members of the Task Force include; FBI Special Agent Dave Fallon, Saratoga Springs Police
Investigator Glen Vidnansky, Colonie Police Investigator Chris Smith, Columbia County Sheriffs
Investigator Anthony Brahm, Rensselaer County Sheriffs Deputy Sal Greco, and Albany Police
Detective Matt Fargione.
Meritorious Service Award to Thomas Sartin and Honorable Service Awards to Officers Kiel Van
Wagner, William Arpei, Tyler McIntosh and Mark Leffler. On November 9, 2013 officers responding to
a report of a domestic assault confronted a suspect armed with a knife. The suspect threatened officers
with the knife and after an unsuccessful Taser deployment the suspect was eventually taken into custody
without further harm to the suspect of the officers.

SARATOGA SPRINGS

POLICE DEPARTMENT
5 LAKE AVENUE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866-2298
518-584-1800
Fax 518-584-1744

GREGORY J. VEITCH
Chief of Police

Drug Buster Award to Investigator Charles Fischer and Officer William Arpei. During the
summer of 2013 Officer William Arpei conducted a vehicle stop and developed information which led to
an undercover narcotics investigation involving the DEA Capital District Drug Task Force and New
York State Police. As a result of the investigation large quantities of bath salts, cocaine and drug
proceeds were made leading to the federal prosecution of large scale drug dealers.
Drug Buster Award to Investigator Charles Fischer. In 2012 Inv. Fischer began an undercover
investigation into local drug dealers which led to large seizures of cocaine, marijuana and drug proceeds.
Exceptional Duty Award to Investigator Laura Emanatian. An investigation conducted by Inv.
Emanatian in February 2012 resulted in the arrest and conviction of a child predator who had travelled
from Pennsylvania to Saratoga Springs with the intent of having sexual intercourse with a minor female.
Exceptional Duty Award to Officer Mark Leffler. During calendar year 2013 officer Leffler
made 111 arrests for DWI and received a Recognition Award from the New York State Stop-DWI
Foundation and Mothers Against Driving- New York State.
Honorable Service Award to Officer Arianna Richards. On January 1 2012, Officer Richards
investigated a missing juvenile female report and discovered that the child had been the victim of a
sexual assault in another jurisdiction. Officer Richards efforts ultimately led another agency making an
arrest of a 23 year old male for sexually assaulting the minor female.
Educational Achievement Award to Officer Jason Cadoret for attaining an Associates Degree in
Criminal Justice in August 2012.
Educational Achievement Award to Assistant Chief John Catone for attaining a Masters Degree
in Criminal Justice in December 2013
Educational Achievement Award to Chief Greg Veitch for attaining a Masters Degree in
Leadership in December 2012.

Gregory J. Veitch
Chief of Police
Saratoga Springs Police Department