Longtime Clarkstown Auxiliary Police Captain Retires

Clarkstown Auxiliary Police Captain Jason Lukasiewicz saluted his auxiliary officers for the final time Tuesday night as their commanding officer.  Lukasiewicz retired from the volunteer position he held for 13 years.  He joined the auxiliary police force in 1988 and was elected captain in 1998.

Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan and other department officials joined the Town Board to honor Lukasiewicz at his retirement.

Council member Shirley Lasker said, “Jason, you’re all about what volunteerism is all about in this town.  We owe you a debt of gratitude we can never repay.”

Town Supervisor Alex Gromack said, “ You have led and set such a high standard.”

Gromack thanked Lukasiewicz for showing how effective the partnership can be between the police department and the auxiliary police.

, whose volunteerism included nine years with the Nanuet Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps, thanked the 30 auxiliary officers.

“It is so easy doing the job I do when you have a group like this,” he said.  “I’m going to miss my crew.”

Lukasiewicz encouraged others to volunteer and help their community.  He said after the events of September 11 he heard a lot of people say, “I wish there was something I could do.”  The West Nyack resident said there is something they can do: volunteer for the police department, fire department, and ambulance corps.

Lieutenant Darryl Draper was elected the auxiliary’s new captain.  The Congers resident joined the organization 14 years ago.  He explained the auxiliary’s responsibility is working community policing details to provide traffic and crowd control during parades and at school and holiday events.

Draper said the auxiliary members come from varied backgrounds and include a doctor and school administrator.  The 30 volunteers have worked 5,000 hours over the course of a year. 

“We are one of the most active departments in the county if not the most active,” Draper said.