Editor’s note: This release was provided by the Village of Pelham Manor.

At Monday night’s board of trustees’ meeting, the Village recognized outstanding police work in Pelham Manor Police Department.

Chief Jeff Carpenter issued letters of commendation to Police Officers Ryan Witte, Edward Witkowski and Nicholas Schwartz for their brave and competent response to a home invasion in progress. The officers worked collaboratively to subdue the assailant who was engaged in a struggle with a resident, secure the scene, collect evidence and usher the family to safety. Their efforts led to the arrest of a career criminal on robbery, burglary and kidnapping charges.

The board also awarded a class “A” citation, the Village’s highest police honor, to rookie Police Officer John Luiso. Without hesitation, Officer Luiso jumped into the cold, dark waters of Eastchester Creek at night, from atop the Fulton Ave. drawbridge, to save a person in crisis who could not swim. Officer Luiso pulled the subject to a nearby piling and held on to him for 30 minutes, while the two were submerged in water up to their chins. Other responding officers assisted in pulling the subject to safety.

The Village celebrates all police officers who serve nobly, both locally and nationally, and also remembers the fallen, during National Police Week.