POPPA is a volunteer police support network committed exclusively to providing a confidential, safe and supportive environment for police officers and their families. Operating 24 hours a day, every day of the year, POPPA assists officers and their families in coping effectively with stress related to the law enforcement profession.
We are dedicated to preventing and reducing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), marital problems, substance abuse, and suicide.
Utilizing peers and a professional mental health network, POPPA reduces the gap between essential support services and officers’ access to these services.
Letter from POPPA’s President
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire POPPA family, it is my honor to welcome you to POPPA’s 30th Anniversary Gala.
For three decades, Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA) has stood as a steadfast source of support for the men and women of the NYPD and their families. What began as a vision rooted in compassion, understanding, and shared experience has grown into a trusted lifeline, one built on peer connection, confidentiality, and service.
POPPA’s success over the past 30 years is not measured solely in time, but in lives touched, crises met with care, and moments when no one had to stand alone. This organization exists because of the unwavering dedication of our peer volunteers, past and present leadership, supporters, partners, and most importantly, the officers and families who place their trust in us.
As President, I am deeply proud of what this organization represents. POPPA’s strength has always come from its people, the dedicated peer officers and volunteers who quietly answer the call, the supporters who believe in our mission, and the families who stand behind those who serve. Collectively, we save lives.
Tonight is both a celebration and a moment of reflection. We honor those who had the courage to ask for help, those who answered the call to serve others, and those who believed, then and now, that peer support saves lives. We also look ahead with renewed commitment to ensure that POPPA remains strong, responsive, and present for future generations of law enforcement.
On this milestone anniversary, we proudly congratulate our five Honorary Members and respectfully honor the memory of one who has passed away, whose contributions and legacy will never be forgotten.
In closing I want to thank you all for being part of this evening and for standing with POPPA. Your support makes our mission possible, and your belief in our work continues to fuel everything we do.
With sincere gratitude and pride,
Thomas Hovagim President
BILL GENET
Honoring Our Founder & Past President
Dear POPPA Peers,
It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of our founder, Bill Genet.
Bill’s vision, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of police officers and their families gave life to POPPA. What began as his heartfelt mission grew into a trusted lifeline for so many in our law enforcement community. Because of Bill, countless officers found support, understanding, and hope during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
His legacy is not only the organization he built, but the culture of care, confidentiality, and family that he instilled in each of us. As POPPA Peers, we are the living extension of his vision. Every call we take, every visit we make, and every life we touch is a continuation of the foundation he laid.
During this difficult time, let us keep Bill’s family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.
As Director, I feel both the weight and the privilege of carrying forward the mission he began. I know that together, we will continue to uphold the standards, compassion that Bill stood for.
May we honor him not only in words, but in our continued dedication to each other and to those we serve.
With respect and gratitude,
Thomas Hovagim Director, POPPA
History and Accomplishments
1996: POPPA was established through a unique collaborative effort between the NYPD, City Council, and the private sector following the suicide of 28 NYPD officers within the 3-year period 1993-1995. POPPA was designed an alternative and a complement to Department services as many officers reported reluctance to discuss personal or psychological issues within the Department due to the stigma and fear of the potential career impact. In the 25 years since its creation, POPPA has been instrumental in changing the culture of police officers seeking and accepting help, and has removed some of the barriers to that crucial help.
POPPA’s first Peer Support Officer training program in 1996 started with 50 active-duty NYPD officers who wanted to help their colleagues. POPPA implemented a 24/7 Helpline, which any police officer could call in order to speak with a specially-trained NYC police peer about any issue, whether personal or job-related.
9/11: Approximately 5 years after POPPA was started, 9/11 jolted the world, the City of New York, and its first responders. In the immediate aftermath, POPPA mobilized to provide in-person support and conducted debriefings for more than 5,000 officers who were either assigned to the World Trade Center site or who just wanted to talk to a police peer about what they had seen or were experiencing following the collapse. The goal was to let officers know that POPPA was there to help them, and to provide a confidential shoulder for these officers to lean on, and an opportunity to safely vent. POPPA witnessed first-hand the degree of trauma that police officers were carrying and its impact. This information was used to revise protocols to mitigate the effects of trauma, thereby reducing the chances that officers would develop post-traumatic stress disorder, a major contributor to suicide within the law enforcement community.
POPPA also responded to the needs of police officers in the aftermath of the 2017 terrorist attach on the West Side Highway that left 8 dead.
Trauma Response Team (TRT) Program: Through collaboration with the NYPD, POPPA is notified of any critical incidents, such as officer-involved shootings, line-of-duty deaths, police suicides, or horrific crime scenes. Using techniques learned from the International Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation and our protocols, POPPA developed a unique set of skills to address both the officers’ immediate and short-term response to traumatic incidents. Specially-trained POPPA Peer Support Officers (PSOs) who volunteer to work on the TRT respond in real-time to support the officers involved and to offer voluntary follow-up debriefings. The TRT is deployed approximately 80 times annually.
In 2006 POPPA developed its Retiree Support Program, recognizing the value of retired officers in being able to understand and assist their retired peers. The unique needs of retired NYPD officers were largely unmet as these officers had few specialized resources to deal with the impact and experiences of their careers in law enforcement. The Retiree Support Program operates in several states in addition to New York. POPPA also responds to calls from police officers from any state throughout the country.
POPPA has also been called to respond to police departments beyond NYC. POPPA went to New Orleans to help police cope with the devastation from Hurricane Katrina in in 2005, to Boston
to help police there cope following the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and at the 1-year anniversary in 2014, to assist Baltimore Police in the aftermath of the 2015 riots, and to Texas following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
A major focus for POPPA is helping officers to strengthen and maintain resiliency. In 2019, POPPA’s Resiliency Support Program undertook a major outreach initiative, providing information and psychoeducation to approximately 20,000 NYPD officers at the Brooklyn and Bronx target ranges over a 6-month period. Officers were provided with information on managing stress, identifying, and responding to warning signs of suicide in their police peers, and strategies for self-care. The Resiliency Support Program led to the development of POPPA’s Suicide Awareness for Emergency Responders (S.A.F.E.R.) program. POPPA offers this program free of charge to police officers and their families and has been called to provide this vital training to police departments beyond the NYC area.
In 2020, POPPA increased its on-line presence in response to the COVID-19 crisis and health guidelines by offering on-line COVID-19 support groups. These groups were conducted by POPPA Peer Support Officers (PSOs) with clinical guidance and were open only to NYPD officers. POPPA also offered weekly educational groups open to police only on resiliency, stress management, and self-care open. Throughout the COVID crisis POPPA maintained its 24/7 Helplines and continued to respond to the needs of officers safely, whether by zoom or car-to-car, and continued to provide referrals to clinicians who could provide services with revised treatment guidelines. POPPA continues to offer a weekly on-line educational group.
POPPA is always expanding its outreach efforts and consistently redesigns, expands, and refines its services to meet the needs of the officers it serves. Through the auspices of the NYPD, POPPA presents information regarding its services and provides psychoeducation to police recruits at the Police Academy in Queens, at borough orientations throughout NYC, and following critical incidents, including line-of-duty deaths and police suicides. POPPA also maintains a presence at all NYPD line-of-duty funerals to pay respects, and to provide information and support to fellow officers.
Today, POPPA has more than 300 Peer Support Officers. It also maintains a network of approximately 120 clinicians who are skilled at working with police officers and receive our client referrals. At any given time, approximately 25 police officers in crisis are receiving support from POPPA’s clinician referral network.
POPPA has built trust in the officers it serves, replacing their isolation with an effective support network. It serves as a model for the development of peer support programs in other police agencies throughout the country. POPPA has participated in law-enforcement-centered conferences, including those sponsored by NYPD and IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police). POPPA continues to help change the way that police officers think about reaching out for help by redefining a call for support as a sign of strength, not weakness.
Our goal is to make sure that NYPD officers know that they are not alone and that we are here 24/7 and care about every officer’s well-being. We want officers to remain healthy and strong throughout their careers, to be proud of the work that they do, and to enjoy their years of retirement.
30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
“THE HEART OF POLICING”
Honoring
POPPA’s 30th Anniversary
Heart of Policing Award
BILL GENET
“The John Coughlin”
Courage To Change Award
JOHN PETRULLO
Spirit of POPPA Award
JIM L aPIEDRA
Partner In The Mission Award
DEPUTY CHIEF ANTHONY GAZIS
Leadership in Peer Support Award
INSPECTOR MARK WACHTER
Eternal Brotherhood Award
BRENDAN “JOE” MCGARRY
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
Welcome
THOMAS HOVAGIM
Director Introduction
MARY MURPHY
Journalist and Author
Guest Speakers
LOUIE YERO
Detective 1st (Ret.) and Author
MICHAEL BARASCH
Attorney
Barasch & McGarry
Awards Presentation
MARY MURPHY
President’s Remarks
THOMAS HOVAGIM
Closing Remarks
JIM L aPIEDRA
POPPA’s Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board
JIM LaPIEDRA
Past-President
JOHN PETRULLO
Directors
JOHN BASILE, CPA Partner Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
RICHARD V. COLUCCI President
Distinctive Offices
LTC (RET.) YOTAM DAGAN. MA, MC-MPA Clinical and Military Psychologist Co-Founder at Maoz-Seal Leadership Program
ANDREW DAVIDOFF CEO EMMES & Company, LLC
JONATHAN J. LEWIS M.D., PH.D. Chairman Molecular Ninja Therapeutics, LLC.
FRANK PIMPINELLA President & CEO Star Delta Electric, LLC.
PETER TILEM POPPA Attorney
JENNIFER (CROCKER) FALOTICO TAYLOR, PH.D. Board Member
SALVATORE F. CARCATERRA Board Member
Salute to the Pioneers March 1996 - Present
A beginning that continues to live on is the best way we can describe the awardes. This evening, they are the people that had the faith. And insight to see the value of the Members Assistance Program (MAP) (now POPPA) mission.
There’s steps into unknown territories has courageously set the foundation generations of peer support officers that are yet to come. They’re caring and understanding of police personnel has been and continues to be the core of POPPA’s life giving heart. Dedication sacrifice, honor and integrity of purpose has become the pillars of papa’s success. We congratulate you for your fortitude of spirit in keeping alive the POPPA reality.
David Boller
Thomas Connors
Robert Fee
Lisa Pomerance
Thomas Lowney
Brendan “Joe” McGarry
Peter Sala
James Shanahan
Hal Tannenbaum
Patrick Toussaint
Special Recognition to our Most Important Contributors, PSO’s Peer
Support Officers
ACTIVE LINE
Lower Manhattan Richmond Team
Daniel Pietranico
Michelle Kemp
Shenita Hickman
Travis Duke
Berenice Delacruz
Kenneth Scarola
Shah Rahman
Jessica Kenniff
Queens Team
Janet Helgeson
Bernice Lavin
Arnold Chow
Kevin Dineen
Eric Finkelstein
Darryn Thompson
William Matthies Catherine Kunst
Noah Molina Sean P. Murphy
Jewel James Michael Malone
Mark Brinadze Jeremias Torres
Eugene Blyumenfeld Lucas Alves
Iris Uceta Darlin Padilla
Luc Pitre
Eunice Vilasec
Amanda Santamaria
Thomas Shanahan
Richard Bastidas
Jon McCollum Pasquale Califano
Visar Marku
Steven Green
Natasha Yasin
Laura Garris
Laurene Bove Colleen Jennings
Norbert-Dutch Heuser Angelique Taveras
Kimberley Augustine Kyesha Fraser
Isidoros Benetos
Ricardo Montilla
Brooklyn Team
Matthew Noftsier
Elizabeth Stevens
Ali Cheikhali
Michael Balioni
Sherena Fredericks
Oliver Pedraga
Lissette Nieves
Jennifer Limage
John Sean Powers
Mark Ellis Wendelyn Dua
Eddie Gutierrez Scott Draughon
Joseph Grubert
Jose Cruz
Brian J. Rabbitte
Veleria Phillips
Adrian Goodwin
Terrance Jones
Damie Danseglio
Mariano Capellan
Richard Mack
Luis M. Aldana
Arlene Quinones
Patrick Heraghty
Ivonne Mercado
Matthew Feigenbaum
Sean Forbes Denisha Pierre
Bronx Team
Lizbeth Villafane
Kevin Geoghegan
Luis Lopez
Victor Ferrante
Shanitra Hood
Gina Corcuchia
Sean Stukes
Julia Goldberg
Shreeganesh Meade
Antonio Alfonso Johanny Monegro
Alix Cassagnol
Victor Cipullo
Ducarmel Pierre Gimmy Abraham
Geceila Carrasquillo Summer Powell
Jonathan Figueroa Yussef Vass
Richard Beary Christine Galgano
Matthew McCarthy Anthony Giannattasio
Kyle Lundy Miguel Martes
Shauna Thompson
Manhattan North Team
Noreen Lazarus
Frank Ferrara
Henry Conde
Francis Reyna
James Molloy
Alexis Lamont
Michelle Tege Tricia Connolly
Yahaira Rodriguez Gilot Lemorin
Eileen Duncan Raphael Encarnacion
Aimee Escoffier John Schoppmann
Juan Espinal Billy Choi
Kimberly McKnight Jessica Ardolino
Chris Villanueva Steven Hearns Janice McClain
Joshua Vasquez
Lissette Sanchez
Christina Farley Angelica Gonzalez
Shawn Rogers Treasure Cruz
Manhattan South Team
Anthony Bonilla
James Coughlin
Daniel Newman
Iris Rafferty
Joseph Alohan
Terri Tobin
Michael Checa
Tabatha Jehhar
Michael LeClair
Raysa Ariola
Elliot Zinstein
Patrick O’Donnell Michael Kushner
Vanessa DeDanzine John Passarella
Kevin Burke
James S. Ferrazzo
Luis Rodriguez Dean Campbell
Richard Neumann Thomas Amato
Viktoriya Sadovskaya Joshua Farazmand
Emiljana Gjikolaj Justin Resnick
POPPA’s Staff
THOMAS HOVAGIM Director of POPPA
SAMANTHA KHAN Clinical Case Manager
ROBEN DRY Office Manager
WILLIAM FOLEY Training Coordinator
LOUIS LOPEZ POPPA Liaison
INGRID MONTALVO
Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant
The John Coughlin “Courage To Change” Award
Sergeant John Coughlin was appointed to the Housing Police Department on January 5, 1983 and began his career in patrol in Police Service Area 8. A veteran of the U.S. Marines he was promoted to sergeant in September 1988 and assigned to Emergency Service Unit (ESU 4) in May 1995.
John volunteered and became a POPPA Peer Support Officer on January 1, 2001 due to the experience of escorting an officer from his command to the POPPA office for assistance.
John’s final response to the helpline was on September 10, 2001 which he scheduled for a face to face meet with the caller at 3 p.m. on September 11, 2001. On that fatal day, before he responded to the World Trade Center, John, with great concern, notified his POPPA coordinator to be sure that someone would keep his 3 PM appointment with the officer in need of assistance.
The officer who was met by an assigned Peer Support Officer, then received treatment, and is now healthy and grateful, for the dedication of service by...
Peer Support Officer John Coughlin
James R. LaPiedra, CFP®, has over 40 years of management experience across public and private sectors. Jim is a highly decorated 20-year veteran of the NYPD, where he began his career in January 1981. As a police officer, Jim was assigned to the Mid Town South Pct where he performed both uniformed and ant-crime patrol duties as well as an investigator in the OCCB Auto Crime Division. Jim was promoted to Sergeant in 1985 where he served as the patrol supervisor in Highway 5 and Emergency Service Truck 5 in PBSI, a command at the time known as HESSI. In 1989 he was promoted to Lieutenant where he served in several OCCB commands before being promoted to Captain in 1995. As a captain he served as a Boro duty captain, zone captain in Manhattan Detectives, Manhattan Boro captain in citywide street crime and the commanding officer of the 66 Pct. In 1998 Jim was promoted to Deputy Inspector where he rounded out his career as the commanding officer of the 72 Pct.
Jim joined the Board of Directors of POPPA, Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance, a not-for-profit peer assistance organization for the New York City Police Department in 2006 and in 2008 assumed the role of Chairman. As chair he provided strong governance with a measurable impact on board growth, advancing the mission, and guidance with leadership transitions that have strengthened the organization.
Jim’s leadership and dedication were consistently recognized throughout his distinguished law enforcement career. His ability to guide teams through complex situations and his commitment to public safety earned him numerous commendations and the respect of his peers. Upon retiring from the NYPD Jim held senior security leadership roles at CSFBdirect and wealth management and investment banking firm Lehman Brothers. As Senior Vice President he managed the security operations in north and south America.
Jim is currently a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and managing partner at the financial advisory firm, Guided Professional Solutions, LLC, where he specializes in retirement planning and distribution strategies. He holds a BBA in accounting from St. John’s University.
In addition, Jim is the president and CEO of ID360°, a firm specializing in identity theft risk management and recovery solutions and the author of IDENTITY LOCKDOWN, Your Stepby-Step Guide to Identity Theft Protection.
John Petrullo, for more than four decades, John Petrullo’s career has been defined by service—first in law enforcement, and then in the equally demanding work of caring for the people who serve.
Mr. Petrullo began his career with the New York City Department of Correction in 1981, before joining the New York City Police Department in 1984. Over the next seventeen years, he served the City of New York at the 79th Precinct and the 63rd Precinct, retiring from active duty in 2001. His years on the front lines revealed the full weight that officers and their families carry—and pointed him toward the work that would define the rest of his career.
In 1999, Mr. Petrullo joined the Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA) as a Peer Support Officer. POPPA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1996 in response to the alarmingly high rate of police suicides. Its model—pairing mental health professionals with trained peer volunteers—has had a profound and measurable impact on the overall health and wellbeing of officers, both active and retired, and has significantly reduced suicide rates within this high-risk population.
Through his direct work with officers in crisis, he gained insights no formal training could provide. The most important of these was the power of early intervention and education. These insights informed every step of his advancement within the organization. In 2003, he became a Team Coordinator. In 2006, he established and led POPPA’s Retiree Program, serving as its first Retiree Team Coordinator—an initiative born from the recognition that the challenges officers face do not end when they turn in their shield. He was appointed Assistant Director in 2008, and in 2017, he became President and Director of POPPA.
In that role, Mr. Petrullo is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the organization, from strategic direction and program development to service delivery and outreach. Among the initiatives he has led or instituted:
• The Retiree Program, extending peer support to those who have left active duty
• Suicide Awareness Training, open to all NYPD employees
• The SAFER Program (Suicide Awareness For Emergency Responders), developed to broaden reach across first responder communities
• Overnight Self-Care Training, open to all NYPD Uniformed Members of Service
• Expanded outreach efforts to bring services directly to the officers who need them
• In-person support groups, providing community-based recovery and resilience-building
• Zoom support groups, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity of care when in-person contact was not possible
The principles behind POPPA’s work—early intervention, peer connection, and the daily practice of well-being—are not unique to law enforcement. They belong in every workplace where people carry weight on behalf of others. This truth has guided Mr. Petrullo’s career, and it continues to shape everything he does.
Chief Anthony Gazis, Anthony Stellios Gazis is an NYPD Deputy Chief and Commanding Officer of the NYPD Medical Division.
Chief Gazis was born in 1968 in Manhattan, NY. He was raised in Astoria, NY. He attended Long Island City High School graduating with honors and elected the 1986 Class President. He attended City College of NY, New York City College of Technology and Marist College. He has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Government.
Chief Gazis is married to Julie, a retired NYPD Lieutenant, and fellow academy classmate. They have three children, Anthony Jr., Christopher and Ashley. Anthony Jr. is an NYPD Sergeant and his daughter Ashley is also an NYPD police officer.
Chief Gazis began his service to the City of New York in 1990 as an NYPD Police Cadet. He was sworn into the New York City Housing Authority Police in April of 1991. He was assigned to Police Service Area #3. During his span at PSA 3, he was assigned to midnight patrol, Community Sweep Team and later the Anticrime Unit. He was awarded three (3) Meritorious Police Duty and six (6) Excellent Police Duty medals. In 1995 The New York City Housing Authority Police merged with the NYPD.
In August 1997, he was assigned to Brooklyn North Narcotics as an investigator. Six months later in February 1998 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the 110 th Precinct in Queens North. In June 1999, he was transferred to MISD now known as Information Technology Services Division (ITSD). In April of 2001 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He remained assigned to MISD where he was designated Lieutenant Special Assignment in 2006.
In August 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as the Executive Officer of the 109 th Precinct in Queens North. Two months later he was transferred to The Internal Affairs Bureau as the Commanding Officer of the Office of Professional Development and Commanding Officer of Group 7. In April 2014, he was transferred and named the Commanding Officer of Information Technology Services Division where he helped implement and advance many of the departments’ technology systems and programs that assist our members every day. In August 2015 he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector.
He was transferred to Patrol Borough Queens North in March of 2017 where he served as Special Projects and then Borough Adjutant. On March 9, 2020 he became the Commanding Officer of the NYPD Medical Division. Unbeknownst to anyone that New York City would soon became an epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic. He stepped in to lead the Medical Division during one the most challenging and historic moments for the department, the city and the world. The department faced record number sickness and absences and death. He and his team worked tirelessly to provide support and care to all of our members. He was instrumental in obtaining and providing vaccines for all members of the department, retirees and all of their families as well. He was also able to assist in providing vaccines for residents of New York City Housing Developments throughout the City of New York. On April 30, 2020 he was promoted to the rank of Inspector. Under his command the Medical Division has been awarded the Unit Citation for two consecutive years. On November 27, 2024 he was promoted to Deputy Chief. Chief Gazis’ priority is to ensure that all members are provided with the utmost care and respect during times of illness, injury or need.
Inspector Mark Wachter served as the Commanding Officer of the NYPD Health and Wellness Section, where he lead initiatives dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of over 55,000 members of the Department. Under his leadership, the Section has implemented transformative programs, including a Health and Wellness mobile application, a 400-member Peer Support Program, and a 30part online wellness training series designed to reduce stigma around seeking assistance.
In response to the unique challenges of law enforcement, Inspector Wachter created the Critical Incident Debriefing Program in July 2020, which has supported thousands of officers in processing traumatic events. He also introduced a therapy K9 program within the Employee Assistance Unit and expanded resources for fitness, nutrition, resilience education, financial literacy, and retirement planning through in-person and virtual platforms.
Inspector Wachter is certified by Georgetown University and the NYPD as an Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Instructor and has presented nationally on officer wellness, including at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). In 2024, he joined the IACP National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide and the FBI’s Suicide Data Collection Task Force, reinforcing his commitment to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and is a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University. His collaborative efforts with POPPA, the Medical Division, Finest Care, Federal Bureau of Investigation, fraternal organizations, and outside wellness providers underscore his dedication to ensuring comprehensive support for law enforcement professionals.
Many knew Brendan “Joe” McGarry as a father, brother, or friend—but one word we can all share in describing him is hero.
Joe’s life journey began in Dublin, Ireland. At just three and a half years old, he immigrated to the United States by boat with his mother and sister. He was raised in Spanish Harlem, where his early years were marked by hardship and frequent trouble. Seeking purpose and direction, Joe joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17—a decision that would shape the rest of his life in profound ways.
Joe’s military service brought both pride and pain. Few knew that he was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. After the camp in which he was held was abandoned, Joe managed to escape and helped a fellow POW gain freedom as well. His courage under unimaginable circumstances defined his quiet strength.
Upon returning home, Joe met the love of his life, Krissy, at a Marine Corps Ball. They married soon after, raised two children of their own, and opened their hearts and home to countless others along the way. Joe often credited Krissy with caring for the children, but those who knew him well saw his devotion clearly—he loved every child as his own and showed it through his actions, even when words went unspoken.
Leaving behind his troubled youth, Joe chose a life of service. He joined the Transit Bureau and later the NYPD, becoming part of a family he proudly called his “blue family.” His compassion extended far beyond duty. He never hesitated to help others—whether supporting fellow officers through the POPPA program, serving as a delegate, caring for friends and family, driving loved ones to Stoan Kettering, comforting grieving families, or saving a fellow officer’s life ona subway platform.
Many believe God sent Joe here with a mission. Even in his final days, he continued to put others first, ensuring that his cancer treatment information could be used by Sloan Kettering to help future patients.
Despite all the good he accomplished, Joe was deeply human. His past weighed heavily on him, and his greatest fear was not death, but the fear of not being forgiven for mistakes made in childhood and during war. A loved one reminded him that God does not expect perfection— only sincerity—and that forgiveness is granted when good outweighs the bad. This reassurance brought him peace, reminding him that Krissy, his one true love, would be waiting for him with open arms.
Joe lived by the words: “it is what it is. Semper Fi. Here’s to us and those who wish they were us.”
He is deeply missed and forever remembered.
Rest in eternal peace, Brendan “Joe” McGarry
“No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark upon it forever.”
- Francios Mauriac
Honored to be part of POPPA’s 30 years of peer support. Thankful for the opportunity to serve with so many gifted and devoted officers and clinicians. and
In memory of my friends
Patrick Townsend
S. Gary Schiller
Stephen P. Driscoll
J. Barney Ferguson
Rev. William G. Kalaidjian
Gerald E. Mines
James J. O’Neill
John P. Quinn
Edward Dwyer
Donald Douglas
Brendan J. McGarry
Anna R. Venditti
William Genet
Det. Daniel Kaplan, Ret. NYPD-HWY CIS
Former C.O. – NYS DOCS/SSCF
In Memory Of Those We Have Lost
Congratulations to POPPA on your 30th Anniversary and to this year’s honorees for your outstanding service and dedication.
It is with deep gratitude and humility that I accept this recognition from the Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance.
For years, it has been my privilege to collaborate alongside such a dedicated group, united by a shared mission: to support the mental health and well-being of the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement.
Suicide prevention and mental health awareness are not just initiatives, they are lifelines.
POPPA’s unwavering commitment to breaking stigma, fostering connection, and providing critical support has made a lasting impact on countless officers and their families. I am truly honored to stand with an organization that leads with compassion, understanding, and action.
There is a simple but powerful story about a person walking along a beach, throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean one at a time. When told that saving a single starfish could not possibly make a difference among so many, the person replied, “It made a difference to that one.”
That message reflects the heart of this work—every life matters. Every conversation, every moment of support, every act of compassion has the power to save a life.
I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to my colleagues at the Health and Wellness Section and the Medical Division. Your tireless efforts, professionalism, and genuine care ensure that every member of the NYPD knows they are not alone. The work you do every day—often behind the scenes—creates a culture where seeking help is seen as strength.
In times of struggle and uncertainty, we are reminded of the importance of faith and perseverance:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Together, we are making a difference. Together, we are saving lives—one person, one moment, one starfish at a time.
Thank you to POPPA for this meaningful honor, and to all those who continue this vital work
INSPECTOR MARK WACHTER
T h e N a v i g a t o r s
The Navigators is a ministry that shares the gospel of Jesus Christ and helps others grow in Christ through Life-to-Life discipleship. We do this on college campuses, military bases, workplaces, inner cities, local communities and hard-to-reach places. ®
Since 1933, we’ve developed disciples by sharing the gospel, studying the Bible, and praying together face-toface and person-by-person, in an approach we call “Life-toLife discipleship.”
Our Navigators Military & First Responder ministry shares the transforming power of Christ’s love with military members, first responders, ROTC, and Academy cadets through Life-to-Life® discipleship, Bible studies, and family support. We are committed to coming alongside the men and women who serve and protect in all aspects of their lives, helping them "to know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same . " ®
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Congratulations to POPPA on its 30 years and to all the Honorees
John and Donna Basile
-David K. (Ken) Beyer Founder
FINANCIAL SECRETARIES
MERRITT RILEY Manhattan South
PATRICK O’DONNELL Manhattan North
RICHARD DIANA Housing
DANIEL ULSAMER Lower Manhattan / S.I.
JOSEPH A. RAO Queens South
FREDERICK WINTER Bronx
JOHN FITZGERALD Brooklyn North
ANTONIO VIVAR Brooklyn South
RAYMOND SALAMONE Queens North
MICHAEL McPHEE Transit
PATRICK HENDRY President
ALBERT ACIERNO 1st Vice President
ARTHUR EGNER 2nd Vice President
JOSEPH STRONG Treasurer
GEORGE WINKLER Recording Secretary
LETHIMYLE CLEVELAND City-Wide Trustee
TRUSTEES
JOHN A. FLYNN Manhattan South
KEVIN MURPHY Manhattan North
NICHOLAS GERAMITA Housing
THOMAS MCGLYN Lower Manhattan / S.I.
MICHAEL FREEMAN Queens South
MATTHEW FIALKOVIC Bronx
KARAM JUBRAN Bronx
BOBBY MOHIP Brooklyn North
ANTHONY CACIOPPO Brooklyn South
JULIUS PASSERO Queens North
JOSE COLON Transit
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Scot t Munro
President
Nicholas Masi
Vice President
Jeffrey A . Ward
Secretar y
Cristina Reyes
Treasurer
John J. Comer
Borough Director, Brooklyn / Queens/ Staten Island
