Dear COBA Members and Retirees;

I would like to share something with you. On Friday March 4th, the COBA Executive Board, including myself and several delegates were in attendance at The Pat Cairo Foundation Dinner Dance. This organization raises money for Cancer research and supports the Doctors and Nursing staff of Calvary Hospital that caters to terminally ill cancer patients. We have supported this very worthwhile organization for many years, in no small part to the fact that Republican Chairman Joe Cairo was instrumental in aiding COBA forming this Union, representing Correction Officers, over 20yrs ago.

He has been a longtime friend to COBA.

As the evening's festivities were about to begin this past Friday night, COBA Delegate/Sgt. Peter Lilli and I were talking when we noticed one of the other attendees slouching in his chair, appearing to be in the middle of a medical episode. Sgt. Lilli, without hesitation, stepped into his role as a first responder and immediately began to render medical aid to the ill man. As calls went through the dining hall for any available medical personnel, Sgt Lilli was already preparing the guest for the EMT’s, while we waited for them to respond. When the EMTs arrived, Sgt. Lilli gave them a full assessment of the patient and continued in control of the situation with the assistance of NCPD Ambulance EMTs.

Within minutes the patient was secured on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

I'm not making the membership aware of this event just to give Pete a slap on the back

(one that by the way, he wanted no part of ) but due to the fact that after the event, when speakers commented on the situation, they thanked Police Personnel, Commissioner Ryder and the NCPD EMTs, but failed to mention Nassau County Correction Sergeant Peter Lilli.

That night, Pete exemplified the meaning of what it takes to be a Nassau County Correction Officer. We don`t watch, we act! We don`t wait, we respond!

Great job Pete! I'm proud to call you a friend and a brother.

John Hogan, COBA 2nd Vice President