Robert DeSaye promoted to Deputy Police Chief

Posted 6/14/22

On the evening of Monday, June 13, in the presence of family, friends, town board members and fellow town officers, Lieutenant Robert DeSaye was officially promoted to the rank of Deputy Police Chief …

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Robert DeSaye promoted to Deputy Police Chief

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On the evening of Monday, June 13, in the presence of family, friends, town board members and fellow town officers, Lieutenant Robert DeSaye was officially promoted to the rank of Deputy Police Chief for the Town of Newburgh Police Department.

Over 30 police officers and staff gathered at the Newburgh Town Hall to celebrate and honor their friend and colleague on his new promotion despite the difficult news received in recent weeks.

In recent weeks, DeSaye was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder with partial kidney failure which then led to a cancer diagnosis. The form of cancer that DeSaye has developed is Stage 4 poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancer.

When news broke of DeSaye’s cancer diagnosis, a FundtheFirst page was created for DeSaye and as of Monday, June 13, the donation page has raised $70,247 to help with treatment costs and other expenses.

The donation page has continued to provide updates on DeSaye’s cancer treatment, which he began on May 16 and has already gone through several rounds of chemotherapy.

On the day of the promotion, with a smile on his face, DeSaye greeted, welcomed and thanked all for coming to share in this special day with him. Standing in front of the crowd, Newburgh Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio read before DeSaye and all those gathered a proclamation highlighting the career and accolades of DeSaye.

The proclamation read that DeSaye first joined the Town of Newburgh Police Department in September of 2001 and has served the town for the last 21 years. DeSaye had also previously worked in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and was a member of the Village of Walden Police Department and City of Beacon Police Department.

On June 24, 2010, DeSaye was promoted to the rank of sergeant and December 29, 2016 was promoted to lieutenant. Other accomplishments and accolades of DeSaye include Orange County Officer of the Year in 1999, Tactical Team Leader and Commander and he has served as a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor, general topics instructor, an accident reconstructionist and educator in the police academy.
With all these recognized accolades, Piaquadio asked for a motion from the board to officially promote DeSaye to the rank of deputy chief which was voted yes unanimously by the town board. Honorable Judge Jude Martini was then called forward to officiate the swearing in as DeSaye’s son Jayden held the Bible. DeSaye’s daughter Erica followed after and pinned a police badge to her father’s uniform.

The ceremony concluded with applause and photos with town board members before heading outside for a large department group photo and more conversation amongst DeSaye and others gathered.

In attendance for DeSaye’s ceremony was Diane Vinciguerra, a family friend of DeSaye for the past 15 years. Vinciguerra shared that she was very happy to see so many people come out to support DeSaye on this special occasion and to be there for him during this difficult time.

“I would say Lieutenant DeSaye is very dedicated to not only his family but the community. He’s given all that he possibly could to this community, ” said Vinciguerra. “To see him with his family and his friends and him smiling, it’s touching my heart.”

Also in attendance were family friends Ethan and Jennifer Fergus, who both are retired law enforcement, and who were also glad to be here for DeSaye for this occasion. “It’s great to see all these people come out to support him. He’s been a great law enforcement person to this community. He’s been a great friend to us and to our family,” Ethan said. “He’s kind and caring. He’s genuine. To say he’s a good friend is an understatement, he’s a part of our family,” Jennifer said.

To support DeSaye, you can use the following link: https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/dire-cancer-
Prognosis-for-town-of-newburgh-pd-police-lt-robert-desaye-5kmtgu