Governor Hochul Announces Rochester Police Officer Nicole Amatore as 2026 Police Officer of the Year

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Rochester Police Officer Nicole Amatore is the recipient of the 2026 Police Officer of the Year Award for demonstrating exceptional courage and bravery in the face of grave danger.

Officer Amatore stopped a gunman who had shot and wounded three of her colleagues and then opened fire on her. She exchanged fire with the gunman and ended the threat, even as a bullet struck the tree she was using for cover.

"It takes tremendous courage and integrity for police officers to suit up each day and put themselves in harm's way to protect others," Governor Hochul said. "It takes even more to remain calm and act quickly and decisively in the face of a deadly threat. Officer Amatore did just that while under fire from a gunman who had already wounded three of her colleagues. It is my honor to name Officer Amatore the 2026 Police Officer of the Year for her extraordinary bravery and dedication to public service."

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Commissioner Rossana Rosado presented the Police Officer of the Year Award on behalf of Governor Hochul during the agency's annual Public Safety Symposium, the state's largest professional gathering of public safety leaders and partners.

DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner Joseph Popcun also presented Lifesaving Awards to New York State Trooper Thomas Stiehler of Troop G and Suffolk County Police Sergeant Robert Griffith, both of whom went far beyond the call of duty to save people in immediate danger.

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosado said, "Officer Amatore, Trooper Stiehler and Sergeant Griffith each answered danger with courage and selflessness. Their actions saved lives and exemplify the very best of public service. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary heroism."

Officer Nicole Amatore

Officer Amatore's actions occurred on Dec. 19, 2025, when Rochester police responded to a 911 call from a woman whose estranged partner was armed and attempting to enter the home where she and her children were living.

Two responding officers found the suspect outside a first-floor window and ordered him to show his hands. He instead pulled a gun from his pocket and opened fire, striking both officers. The gunman fled on foot and encountered a third officer several blocks away. He fired again, striking that officer.

When Officer Amatore arrived, the suspect shot at her. She took cover behind a tree, returned fire and stopped the gunman, ending the threat. One of the suspect's rounds struck the tree she was using for cover. All three wounded officers survived their injuries.

City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said, "Officer Amatore's heroic actions powerfully demonstrated courage, quick thinking, and selflessness in the face of imminent danger. That unbridled bravery is characteristic of this extraordinary public servant, who exemplifies the highest principles of a sworn officer committed to serving and protecting others before themselves. We are proud to recognize and commend her outstanding service."

City of Rochester Police Chief David M. Smith said, "Officer Amatore's actions exemplified exceptional heroism, bravery and selfless dedication to duty. Faced with an immediate and lethal threat, she continued the mission without hesitation, knowingly placing herself in danger after three fellow officers had been shot and gravely injured, to stop a violent offender and protect her colleagues and the public. By acting decisively under fire, her conduct exceeded the normal expectations of police service and reflected the highest ideals of the law enforcement profession."

Officer Amatore has served with the Rochester Police Department since 2019. She is the second member of the department to be named New York State Police Officer of the Year.

Trooper Thomas Stiehler

On July 4, 2025, Trooper Stiehler, who had been a member of the State Police for just over a year, responded to a report of shots fired in Albany and arrived to find a building in flames.

Despite having no protective equipment or firefighter training, Trooper Stiehler and other officers entered the building to search for trapped occupants. As the fire grew and smoke thickened, he climbed several flights of stairs and reached the apartment of an older woman who could not walk on her own. He broke down her door, carried her down several flights of stairs and brought her to safety.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "Trooper Stiehler embodies the very essence of public service: dedication, courage and selfless service to others. We honor his heroic actions on July 4, 2025, when he ran toward danger despite the risks. Trooper Stiehler could not have anticipated the circumstances he encountered that day, yet his instinct to help immediately took over. Through his quick thinking, decisive actions and unwavering commitment to protecting others, he brought an elderly woman to safety. We commend Trooper Stiehler for his outstanding service, exceptional performance of duty and extraordinary courage. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and proudly represent the New York State Police and the highest ideals of law enforcement."

Sergeant Robert Griffith

On July 13, 2025, Suffolk County Police Sergeant Robert Griffith and Police Officer Jovanni Johnson responded to a report of two men fighting, one of whom was armed with a knife. They found a man bleeding heavily from severe wounds to his neck and hands and began providing emergency medical aid.

As they assisted the victim, the suspect emerged from nearby woods and charged toward the victim with a large knife raised over his head, threatening to kill the injured man. Sergeant Griffith advanced toward the attacker and fired three shots, causing him to fall and drop the knife, which grazed the victim. Sergeant Griffith then moved the injured man to safety.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said, "Faced with a violent, armed assailant intent on killing an already severely injured victim just feet from innocent bystanders, the officers demonstrated tremendous courage, split-second judgment and complete disregard for their own safety. Their seamless teamwork, from immediately providing lifesaving medical care to rapidly and decisively stopping a deadly threat, prevented what almost certainly would have been the murder of the victim and potentially others at the scene."

Family members and colleagues of all three officers attended the ceremony to celebrate their recognition.

Established more than 40 years ago, the annual Police Officer of the Year Award recognizes officers who represent the very best of New York's law enforcement profession.

The Police Officer of the Year Award Selection Committee created the Lifesaving Award in 2016 after recognizing that many nominations involved officers performing heroic acts during life-threatening emergencies. The award recognizes an officer who performs a "courageous and unselfish act that resulted in the saving of a human life."

The Division of Criminal Justice Services coordinates the work of the Police Officer of the Year Award Selection Committee, whose members represent law enforcement agencies and police union leadership. All nominees receive a Certificate of Exceptional Valor from Governor Hochul.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state's criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow the agency on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.