Six Members of the Yonkers Police Department Honored for Bravery

ALBANY, NY – Six members of the Yonkers Police Department are recipients of the New York State Police Officer of the Year Award.

They apprehended a gunman who had shot Detective Maher in the face at point-blank range.

“Amid chaotic gunfire, these officers diffused a potentially lethal situation and showed exemplary courage, pulling one of theirinjured colleagues to safety while apprehending the shooter without any loss of life,” Governor Cuomo said. “Their actions during this shootout are representative of the bravery New Yorkers have come to depend on to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe, and I am proud to honor them with this well-deserved award.”

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul presented the award to the six officers. Captain Andrew Lane, Detective Kayla Maher,  Detective Dawn Lebzelter, Officer Brendan Moore, Officer Thomas Bennett and Officer Vincent Reda were honored for their actions on Sept. 25, 2017

The Yonkers Police provided the following account of the events that unfolded around 8 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2017. Officers Maher and Lebzelter were dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at the intersection of Marshall Road and Ridge Drive. They approached the car and while speaking briefly with an individual in the vehicle’s front seat, another individual in the back seat pulled a gun and fired at Officer Maher, who was struck in the chin by a .40-caliber bullet at pointblank range. The officers returned gun fire and reached Officer Maher pulling her to safety.

“This incident could have resulted in multiple deaths had it not been for the quick thinking and decision making these officers exhibited under intense pressure,” Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Their heroic actions not only saved the life of a fellow officer, but also lead to the safe apprehension of a gunman who was recklessly firing at them on a residential street.”