Oneida County STOP-DWI Program Announces Law Enforcement Award Winners

UTICA — The Oneida County STOP-DWI Program today announced its Law Enforcement Award winners in the return of its annual recognition breakfast at Mohawk Valley Community College.

The event — which is sponsored by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Foundation (OCSLEF) — honors individual officers for their commitment to the STOP-DWI mission. It was the 26th iteration of the recognition breakfast, and the first time it has occurred since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are happy to once again be able to recognize the law enforcement agencies of Oneida County for the outstanding work they do to keep our roadways safe from those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “Our officers and deputies save countless lives every day and we can’t thank them enough for their hard work and dedication.”

“The Oneida County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Foundation is proud to again sponsor the Oneida County STOP-DWI Recognition Breakfast as we say thank you to everyone being honored here today for their efforts to keep drunk drivers off of Oneida County’s roadways,” said Sheriff Robert Maciol, who also serves as chairman of the OCSLEF.

Awarded the Joseph Corr Outstanding DWI Law Enforcement Award for their efforts in 2022, were Officer Alan Pelesic, from the Yorkville Police Department and Deputy Steven Eilers, from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. 

The overarching goal of the STOP-DWI Program is to reduce instances of impaired driving. In 2022, 118 total impairment-related crashes occurred in Oneida County, which resulted in two fatalities. More than 600 tickets were issued to impaired drivers. With on-the-ground support from law enforcement agencies throughout Oneida County, both crashes and tickets issued due to impaired driving have fallen steadily over the last 10 years.

“This event is a way for us to show our sincere appreciation for how diligently our local law enforcement members work to support the STOP-DWI mission and keep our roadways safe for all,” said Oneida County STOP-DWI Coordinator Eric Townsend.

For more information on the STOP-DWI Program, please visit www.ocgov.net/departments/stop-dwi.