Members In Action

PCNY 2011 Medal of Valor Award presented to Nassau County Police Officer Michael J. Schneider

On March 1, 2011 Communication Bureau dispatched a call for an auto accident in which a car struck a pole and wires were down across the roadway.

The location was Bellmore Ave. and Marion St. Bellmore. Minutes later a second notification came out that shots were fired at the scene. Seconds later K-9 Officer Michael Schneider, who was on patrol in the area, notified CB that he was at the scene. Also responding to the scene were Officers Dean Reiter and Paul Caiaccia from the 7th Pct. At this point in time the Officers didn’t know that a Bellmore Firefighter had been shot. The Firefighter was responding to render aid to the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident.

Upon arrival at the scene Officer Schneider was informed by a civilian that the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident had a gun. Officer Schneider told the civilian to seek cover. He drew his weapon and scanned the scene. He observed Officer Reiter approaching the scene. At this moment Officer Schneider observed a laser sighted on Officer Reiter’s chest. Now realizing he was in imminent danger Officer Schneider took evasive actions while yelling to Officer Reiter that the subject had a gun. The subject fired multiple rounds from a rifle and Officer Reiter immediately returned fire while taking cover. Officer Schneider moved to gain cover and a better tactical position. Officer Caiaccia arrived at the scene and was immediately warned by Officer Schneider, who was yelling that the subject had a gun. Officer Caiaccia was in close proximity to the subject, who was pointing the rifle at him. Officer Caiaccia, knowing he was in imminent danger, dove to the ground and crawled to cover on the side of his RMP. Officer Schneider, fearing for the safety of his fellow Officers who were pinned down, risked his own safety by stepping away from cover and confronted this dangerous individual. Officer Schneider fired upon the subject, terminating this life-threatening situation.

Police Officer Schneider encountered a heavily armed extremely dangerous individual. This subject had already shot one person and attempted to shoot the Officers. It was later discovered that the subject stated to his wife that he was not going back to jail and if the police came to get him he would “take them out.” Inside the subject’s vehicle was a 9mm Luger, a 22 cal. Machine pistol, a 32 cal. rifle, a Winchester 330 lever-action rifle and 357 magnum handgun along with numerous rounds of ammunition. The Officer reacted remarkably using sound tactics and making fast decisions. His heroic actions under fire, while putting himself in harm’s way to stop this deadly threat, saved an unknown number of lives.

It is for these actions that the Police Conference of New York proudly bestows its Medal of Honor to Police Officer Michael J. Schneider.