The Suffolk PBA recently honored three 3rd Precinct Police Officers, P.O. Joseph Esposito, P.O. Tommy Shair, and P.O. Tyler Kozikowski, with the prestigious Silver Shield Award, the union's highest honor. These officers were recognized for their heroic actions, which are detailed below.

On the morning of February 17, 2024, Police Officers Joseph Esposito, Tyler Kozikowski, and Tommy Shair were working a 7x3 tour of duty during a snowstorm. A little after 9 o’clock, they were dispatched to a report of a violent domestic incident. When they arrived, they were met by an injured female who was standing in the roadway, in the snow, without any shoes on. The woman advised them that she had just been assaulted by her husband, who was still inside the house with their small child.

The three officers immediately approached the home. Officer Kozikowski went up the steps and knocked on the front door. Suddenly, a male opened the door and charged at Officer Kozikowski while holding a large Rambo-style knife in one hand and an expandable baton in the other. Officer Kozikowski attempted to retreat down the steps and create distance from the violent male but slipped and fell due to the snow and ice covering the ground. Officer Shair was unable to see the weapons in the male’s hands from his vantage point and attempted to tase the subject, but it was ineffective.

At that moment, Officer Esposito saw that the male subject was attempting to stab Officer Kozikowski, so he drew his service weapon and shot the subject multiple times, neutralizing the threat. During this attack, Officer Kozikowski was also able to draw his weapon and shoot the male subject once before his weapon malfunctioned. Unfortunately, prior to the subject going down, he managed to stab Officer Kozikowski in the wrist, arm, and chest. Thankfully, the knife was not able to penetrate Officer Kozikowski’s bulletproof vest; however, his wrist and arm were seriously wounded and bleeding heavily.

In the immediate moments after neutralizing the threat, Officer Esposito began resuscitation efforts on the male subject while Officer Shair took life-saving action on Officer Kozikowski. Officer Shair applied a tourniquet to Officer Kozikowski’s arm while also relaying important information to surrounding units over the radio. Ultimately, Officer Kozikowski needed to be airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital, where he was treated for serious lacerations and nerve damage by Dr. Vosswinkle and his team. After many months of recovery and rehabilitation, Officer Kozikowski returned to work. Had it not been for the swift and skillful actions of all three of these officers, our department and our nation would have mourned the loss of another police officer.

We are so proud of the officers' commitment to the residents of Suffolk County. Their dedication to serving and protecting the community is commendable and invaluable.