The American Legion Post 303 celebrated its annual Law and Order Night with an award reception and dinner.
This year’s award recipients, both serving the Rockville Centre community, were Inspector Chris Romance from the Police Department and Honorary Chief Robert Winum from the Fire Department.
Romance received an engraved shotgun from American Tactical, while Winum received an engraved axe as emblems of their continued service and support to the village.
Tokened as the “pinnacle event of the year” by Post 303’s Vice Commander Paul Casazza, the distinctions highlight their century-long value of “commitment to serving and protecting.”
Chris Romance has always “done it for the community” as he calls it, having served the Rockville Centre community for nearly three decades. Police Commissioner Randy Dodd called Romance his “right-hand-man” and his service “a gift.”
“Every leader needs a soldier at his side,” Commissioner Dodd said in his speech at the Oct. 10 event, “someone who sees the battlefield clearly, who never hesitates, and never backs down.”
Romance graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and is now the highest ranking officer and executive officer for the police department.
The 20-year supervisor is tasked with overseeing several programs, including Rockville Centre’s emergency management response, homeland security mission, and overseeing the town’s new drone command program. Romance also holds the title of “master trainer,” a distinction for being the instructor of 17 different training programs.
Through Romance’s leadership, Rockville Centre has been recognized as one of New York’s safest and most prosperous communities in a statewide report.
“Chris has trained the best, led the brightest, and built the system that keeps the (police department) battle-ready every single day.” Dodd said of Romance’s commitment and sacrifice. “We are not just recognizing one man’s career — we are recognizing the results of his dedication to Rockville Centre.”
Similar to years past, this year’s Fire Department selection process involved joint approval from Rockville Centre’s seven companies. These companies vote on and sponsor a member from their respective companies. The final seven candidates are then adjudicated on “strict committee standards,” per Assistant Chief Brian O’Toole.
Robert Winum, this year’s final honoree, holds decades of experience and is a beloved member of Alert Engine Company 2.
Both O’Toole and Engine Company Captain Jesse Keane said there was no one “more deserving of the award” and described Winum as “a good person.”
“During his many years of dedicated service, Chief Windham has put himself in harm’s way to protect the life and property of the village of Rockville Center.” Keane said of Winum’s service.
Keane also thanked Post 303 for “recognizing the years of dedicated service Chief Windham has devoted to his country and to his community.”
Winum served as an Army Medic Chief in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1965, before returning to the firehouse he’s helped serve the community in since 1962. Over his 53-year service, Winum served as the company treasurer from 1966 to 1976, and he was also company secretary in 1968.
Since 1968, Winum has served on five committees, and has accrued certifications from 16 fire training courses. He is now serving as a trustee for the department’s exemption benevolent association.
Law and Order Night is one of American Legion Post 303’s most beloved events since they were chartered in 1919, and it continues to welcome veterans from all branches of the United States armed forces.
