A volunteer sheriff’s deputy in Nassau County was arrested after authorities said a loaded handgun was discovered in his carry-on luggage at John F. Kennedy International Airport, drawing renewed attention to a controversial program created by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Gaetano “Guy” Savia, 67, of Bellmore, was arrested May 28 at Terminal 4 after a Transportation Security Administration agent detected a loaded .380-caliber Ruger handgun in his bag during routine screening, according to reports.
Savia was charged with knowingly and unlawfully possessing a firearm in violation of the terms of a license. He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court next month.
The incident involves one of approximately 75 volunteer special deputies appointed through a program established by Blakeman in 2024. The program recruits civilian volunteers who can be granted police powers during a declared emergency and assist professional law enforcement personnel.
The special deputy initiative has faced criticism and legal challenges since its inception. Opponents have questioned whether the program complies with local law and has raised concerns about oversight, transparency and the qualifications of participants.
A lawsuit filed by Nassau County legislators last year argues that county law permits only trained officers from other agencies to be deputized during emergencies. Critics have also questioned the ages and backgrounds of some participants. Recent court filings in the case alleged that several members had faced arrests or warrants and noted that some volunteers were older than New York’s mandatory retirement age for law enforcement officers.
At a roundtable interview with the Herald last fall, Blakeman expressed support for his civilian deputy force, which he said is not a “militia.” Under state law, he said, county executives have the right to declare emergencies and deputize people for service.
“I created nothing more than a database of people who are willing to serve, who will be willing to train without getting paid,” he told Herald reporters. Most are military veterans or former law enforcement, he added, and will undergo firearms training in accordance with state law.
The identities of many special deputies remained under court seal until last month, when records became public through the ongoing litigation.
According to Newsday, Blakeman said after the arrest that Savia had failed to properly secure his firearm and that the matter would proceed through the court system. He also indicated that Savia would undergo an administrative review but had not been asked to step down from the program.
The Herald contacted Blakeman’s office seeking comment on whether any disciplinary action would be taken against Savia pending the outcome of the criminal case, details of the administrative review process, and whether the incident had prompted a review of policies, training or oversight procedures for members of the special deputy program. No response was received by press time.
The arrest comes as Blakeman, a Republican candidate for governor, continues to defend the volunteer deputy initiative. The incident has renewed debate over the county’s use of civilian volunteers in law enforcement-related roles and whether additional oversight of the program is needed.
Savia is a Bellmore businessman whose investments reportedly include a commercial real estate company and a medical supply firm.
