Three Nassau cops lauded for bravery, restraint

Earlier this month, three Nassau cops faced down an alleged armed robbery suspect in Uniondale. The Bay Shore man opened fire, according to police, and two of the cops fired back. No one was hit.

On Monday, with the suspect in custody on multiple attempted murder charges, Nassau police Officers Robert Psomas, Michael Sierzant, and Lt. Daniel Delargy were recognized by the Nassau County Legislature for their bravery and restraint during the course of the March 1 confrontation.

“If not for these officer’s dedication and bravery this felon would still be on the street,” Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President, Tommy Shevlin said during a presentation where the three were named Legislative Top Cops of March 2022.

Psomas and Sierzant were on early-morning patrol in Uniondale when they spotted a black Dodge Charger with tinted windows and black rims, similar to one used in a gunpoint robbery in Levittown, authorities said. After conducting a license plate check, the officers learned that the vehicle was stolen, and the occupant was armed and dangerous. They attempted to pull over the vehicle, but the driver kept going and crashed into another vehicle, injuring an occupant, police said at the time.

From inside the Charger, the suspect, identified as Jonathan R. Vazquez, 20, of Bay Shore, fired his semiautomatic pistol at the two officers who had gotten out of their vehicle and were about 20 feet away, according to charging documents.

One bullet struck the hood of the police vehicle, just three to four inches away from hitting one of the officers, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder said at Monday's ceremony. The officers returned fire but missed and instructed the man to give up.

Instead, the suspect then attempted to drive the damaged car and unsuccessfully tried to fire the weapon, before fleeing on foot. After a search of the area, Delargy and the other officers located the man, who was now pointing the handgun at his head, the police commissioner said.

“The individual puts the gun to his head. He wants suicide by cop. They did not engage. They backed up. They gave instructions 'put the gun down,' ”  Ryder said. "They went into a hostage, like barricade type mode, after being shot at by the same individual. He jumps over the fence and goes again and Officer Delargy engages and arrests him.”

Ryder lauded the officers' professionalism and said their training and equipment went to use that night when they were able to apprehend the man without either them or the suspect suffering any injuries.

“Everybody was professional," Ryder said. "Everybody did a good job.”

Delargy had praised for his colleagues.

“The courage and calmness under fire, you really couldn’t ask more from these guys,” Delargy said. “I’m just so proud of these guys. Everything from beginning to end was just so well done.”

Vazquez, 20, was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, one count of second-degree attempted murder, two counts each of assault and criminal use of a firearm, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon and robbery.

He was also charged with robbery in connection with an incident on Feb. 16 in Levittown. Police said Vazquez is also responsible for an incident in Hempstead on Feb. 8., where he faces attempted murder, assault, criminal use of a firearm and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon charges.