![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/20240509_124329.jpg?resize=900%2C540&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDeputy Nicholas R. Chamoun, Genesee County Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Deputy Nicholas R. Chamoun began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2019. During his tenure, Deputy Chamoun has shown outstanding dedication to law enforcement. He is a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT), a Firearms Instructor, and a Field Training Officer (FTO). Deputy Chamoun is always eager to expand his knowledge by way of formal training as well as researching and learning on his own. He leads by example and takes the knowledge he gains and shares it with other members in the department. Deputy Chamoun is focused and proactive while on patrol and during traffic enforcement, putting his training and knowledge to use in order to look \u201cbeyond the ticket\u201d to identify criminal activity. His efforts have resulted in felony arrests for illegal drugs and weapons on a consistent basis, thus making our community safer. Deputy Chamoun has been the recipient of a Sheriff\u2019s Office Meritorious Service Award and a Commendation. Prior to his hiring, he served four years in the U.S. Marine Corp. and held the position of Sergeant – Squad and Mortar Section Leader. Deputy Chamoun was nominated for this award by Chief Deputy Brian Frieday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Correction Officer Michael A. Strumpf, Genesee County Jail<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Correction Officer Michael A. Strumpf has been a member of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office since May 2019, working in the Jail Division. CO Strumpf is a hard-working, dependable officer that management relies on heavily. In addition to his regular correction officer duties, CO Strumpf has also accepted the extra responsibility of being a Jail Training Officer (JTO). He routinely works with all of the new correction officers when they begin their careers at the Jail. He passes on his expert knowledge of the duties of being a correction officer as well as his knowledge of the policies and procedures and sets up the new officers on a path to success early in their careers. His dedication to this role has been pivotal as the jail staff has increased significantly in the past four months due to the greater staffing needs of the new jail facility. Additionally, CO Strumpf played a critical role during a full facility shakedown on December 28, 2023, when he uncovered a large amount of synthetic K2 drugs during the search. His work was instrumental in removing the illicit substance from circulating within the facility and led to additional drug charges being filed. CO Strumpf has been the recipient of a Sheriff\u2019s Office Commendation which has proven his professionalism and dedication to corrections. Correction Officer Michael A. Strumpf was nominated for this award by Deputy Jail Superintendent Jeffrey J. Searls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Detective Sergeant Matthew Lutey, City of Batavia Police Department<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Detective Sergeant Matthew Lutey has gone above and beyond in his 13-year career as a member of the City of Batavia Police Department. Sergeant Lutey started as a patrol officer assigned to various platoons and then was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2014, where he served as the swing Sergeant for the department. Upon his promotion, Sergeant Lutey took over the department’s Field Training Program, where he oversaw the daily operations and review of the department’s Field Training Officers (FTOs) as well as multiple police recruits. Sergeant Lutey was a steadfast leader in the position of Police Sergeant, bringing a calm demeanor to chaotic incidents. In January of 2020, Matt was promoted to the position of Detective Sergeant, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department’s Detective Bureau. Detective Sergeant Lutey oversees five detectives in total, one dedicated to juvenile matters, one dedicated to narcotics investigations and three general casework detectives. Matt has overseen all major crimes that have occurred in the city since taking over as Detective Sergeant, as well as worked closely with other department members and city schools to implement enhanced school safety programs throughout the city. Detective Sergeant Lutey has been involved in the development and implementation of the department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) program and School Resource Officer program. Matt is a former Team Leader of the department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), is a current member of the department’s Honor Guard and is a co-instructor for the department’s Defensive Tactics Program. Matt continues to lead with a compassionate, calm, and rational demeanor that reflects positively on himself, the Detective Bureau, the department and the City of Batavia. Before being hired by the City of Batavia as a Police Officer, Matt served his country in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant and is a 2003 graduate of Batavia High School. Detective Sergeant Matthew Lutey was nominated for this award by Chief Shawn Heubusch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trooper Benjamin Hersee, New York State Police<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trooper Hersee is a remarkably proactive Trooper who comes to work every day giving his best effort toward all areas of policing. He shows a strong commitment to enforcing the Vehicle and Traffic Law with an emphasis on the removal of impaired drivers from the highways. In 2023, Trooper Hersee was statistically outstanding when compared to the other Troopers that patrol Genesee County. He ranks second in Penal Law arrests, first in the number of tickets issued, and first in the number of DWI arrests made. His dedication to enforcing the law has undoubtedly made the community safer for the citizens of Genesee County. Because of the exceptional year he had, I am recommending him for the Kiwanis Club of Batavia Criminal Justice Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charles L. Mancuso Mock Trial Award<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201cCharles L. Mancuso Award\u201d was presented to the members of the Oakfield Alabama High School Mock Trial Team as winners of the 2024 GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties) District Competition in the New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Tournament. The award reads \u201cDedicated to the Memory of an Outstanding Attorney-Citizen\u201d, Mr. Mancuso, a Batavia lawyer, served as coordinator of the local competition until his untimely death 17 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Oakfield Alabama High School team members honored at the luncheon include: Jireth Arias-Diaz, Shane Coast, Teagan Falk, Alex Fuller, Lily Haacke, Elijah Loysen (not pictured), Angelina Luker, Amora Mabon, Zayla Stoddard, Emily Szpylman, Bailey Warner, Teacher-Coach Peter Beuler. The Charles L. Mancuso Mock Trial Award was presented by Judge Melissa Cianfrini who is standing in for Judge Kristi Defreze who is the Mock Trial Program Coordinator who was unable to attend the luncheon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moment of Silence for Deputy Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello<\/em><\/strong>–left-right-Chief Deputy Joe Graff, Chief Deputy Brian Frieday and Genesee County Jail Superintendent Bill Zipfel<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Press release At today\u2019s recognition luncheon held at Batavia Country Club, Kiwanis Club of Batavia announced recipients of the 2024 Criminal Justice Awards. The Kiwanis Club of Batavia Criminal Justice Award is presented to a member or members of the community, law enforcement, or a criminal justice agency serving the \u2026<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/20240509_124054.jpg?resize=900%2C562&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/20240509_123815.jpg?resize=900%2C530&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/20240509_124543.jpg?resize=900%2C480&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/20240509_131507.jpg?resize=900%2C446&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/20240509_120709.jpg?resize=900%2C506&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n