April 20 – Seven Niagara County law enforcement officers will be honored for their work tonight at the Niagara County Legal and Business Professionals Lawman of the Year dinner.
Formerly known as the Judges and Police Officers of Niagara County, the organization is made up of members of the local judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and business and education. The group traditionally supports local charities and recognizes the work of law enforcement members.
The dinner will be held at the Rescue Fire Hall in North Tonawanda from 6 p.m.
The winners include Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Officer David Ganz and Shagundeep Virk, Niagara County Jail Corrections Officer Scott Mendola, Niagara Falls Police Officers Kayla Richards and Ian Siteek and City of Niagara Police Lt. Kellie Aderman and Officer James Bissell.
Ganz and Virk are being honored for their efforts to save the life of a 3-year-old girl who was attacked by a pack of dogs. The deputies are credited with providing “critical and life-saving care” to the child.
Mendola is recognized as a “role model for corrections officers. Mendola is particularly cited for his work in the Officer Wellness Program, including the Peer-to-Peer Support Program and Crisis Intervention Training.
Richards and Sitek are being honored for their handling of an active shooter incident in the city. The two officers confronted an armed suspect, who shot at them.
Richards, who begged the suspect to put down his weapon to defuse the situation, was nearly hit by the gunfire. After shooting the suspect, Sitek attempted to administer first aid to the suspect.
Aderman and Bissell are being recognized for their work in the aftermath of responding to a call of an armed robbery at an apartment complex in the city. After arriving at the apartment complex, a suspect shot Bissell three times as he tried to escape.
The officers were able to take three suspects into custody without being injured or injured.
