The Life Saving Benevolent Association (LSBA) has honored New York-area police officers for their heroic lifesaving water rescues.

Klaus G. Dorfi, president of the LSBA, honored the award recipients at a ceremony at the Seamen's Church Institute of New York and New Jersey at 241 Water St., New York. Among the dignitaries attending the event were: Assistant Chief Charles Kammerdener of the New York City Police Department; Chief William Siegel, who represented Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Mayor Michael Bloomberg and read a letter sent by the Mayor; and Battalion Chief James Dalton of the New York City Fire Department.

"The LSBA has honored the lifesaving efforts of more than 1,000 police officers, firefighters and civilians since 1850," said Dorfi. "There is a need for heroism in every age. Today, we honor 36 individuals who deserve our thanks and admiration for their deeds."

The awards carry on a tradition begun in 1849, when the New York legislature granted a request from New York ship owners, merchants, and insurers to charter the LSBA. The association established 26 lifesaving stations at five-mile intervals along the Long Island and New Jersey shorelines. (These stations were eventually taken over by what became the U.S. Coast Guard.)

Honorees included: Det. John S. McKenna, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad; Det. Brian M. Daly, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 6; Det. Michael J Rosati, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 7; Det. Kris Cataldo, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 4; Det. George Sichler, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; Det. Michael Egan, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; Investigator Kevin D. McKenna, Ithaca Police Department; Det. Raymond Neuman, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 3; Det. David L. Binder, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service, Hazmat; Det. Jose Otero, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 3; Det. Kenyatta T. Rouse, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 4; Sgt. Paul G. Miffitt, Vernon (Conn.) Police Department; K-9 Police Officer James J. Grady, Vernon (Conn.) Police Department; Det. Michael J. Markle, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 10; Det. Thomas Bourne, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 10; Police Diver Gregory J. Pryer, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; Police Diver Eric S. Tobkes, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; Police Officer Daniel J. Lillis, NYC Police Department; Sgt. Michael P. Edwards, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 1; Det. Thomas Byrnes, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 1; Det Philip W. Tropp, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service, Squad 2; Police Officer John B. Purcell, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; Det. Dennis Micic, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; Det. Clifford Allen, NYC Police Department, Emergency Service Squad 1; Det. Francis Vitale, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team; and Det. Thomas Stevens, NYC Police Department, Harbor Unit, Scuba Team.