A special “Walkout” ceremony took place at Suffolk PBA headquarters in Brentwood as long-time President Noel Gerolamo left his office for the last time, turning over the reins of the influential police union to Lou Civello. Also taking the walk as officers, family, and friends bid them well was 1st Vice President Lou Tutone, who was succeeded by John Hnat.
DiGerolamo is retiring after 28 years as a Suffolk police officer and 13 years as union president. He is credited with negotiating record compensation packages for his members, making them among the highest-paid police officers in the nation.
Hailing from a police family, Civello said he had a lifelong vocation to serve his community as a law enforcement officer. He joined the New York Police Department in 2000 and started with Suffolk a year later, joining the 5th Precinct, where he served as a patrol officer for nearly 20 years. In 2006, he became a union delegate playing an integral part in the founding of the PBA’s Political Awareness Committee. He was then elected as a trustee, where he became part of the contract negotiating committee. In 2019, Civello ran unopposed for 2nd vice president before stepping into the president’s role. He is originally from Broad Channel, Queens, and attended high school at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Queens College.
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| File Photo |