Parole officers reflect, remember

Story and Photos By DEBORAH A. MILES
More than a hundred parole officers in PEF Division 236 gathered on a sunny, warm day July 20 for a ceremony at the Parole Officers’ Memorial in the courtyard at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

The event honored seven parole officers killed on the job. Special recognition was given to the family of Jeffrey Woolson who died March 19, 2009, in an on-duty auto accident.

The hour-long ceremony included New York military honor guards and Daniel Tobin, a bagpiper and parole officer.

State Division of Parole Chairwoman and CEO Andrea Evans welcomed the officers and said their work was recognized and appreciated.

“Parole and probation officers contribute a great deal to our communities through efforts to re-integrate former offenders into society and protect public safety,” Evans said. “Recognizing them is a small expression of thanks for the tremendous service they perform. While they are rarely in the public eye, their tremendous contributions should never be overlooked.”

Timothy O’Brien, director of facility operations at the Division of Parole, gave the opening remarks.
“It is important to remember the officers for their bravery in serving this great state. For that we will always remember them,” O’Brien said.

PEF Division 236 Council Leader Manuelita Clemente introduced two PEF parole officers, John Walters and Jose Garcia, who presented a plaque to Woolson’s mother and her companion.

After a memorial roll call and the presentation of a flag to Mrs. Woolson by Evans, wreaths were placed at the stone monument.

Robert Maccarone, director of the state Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, read a proclamation by Gov. David Paterson stating July 19-25 is Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week, and recognizing corrections professionals as “champions of community justice.”

“The life of a parole officer can change in a split second,” Clemente said. “Our job can go from routine to dangerous. And when something does happen, it changes us even more. Let us hope there will be no more names added to this monument.