The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation in Buffalo, NY, accepted numerous nominations for the Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Award. This prestigious award honors a police officer who has overcome serious injury, illness or other disability and who has returned to work to perform exceptional service in fulfilling their duties in police work in Western New York. Over the years, more than 150 officers from 13 communities have been honored with Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Awards. The award is presented annually in Western New York, New York City, Long Island, Boston, Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
In 1983, the Theodore Roosevelt Association established the Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Awards in New York City to honor Teddy Roosevelt’s service as president of the Board of Police Commissioners of New York City from 1895 to 1897 and in recognition of his admiration and respect for the police.
The recipient receives $1,000, a medal designed by Marc Mellon and a photograph of President Roosevelt when he was New York City Police Commissioner. The presentation takes place at the TR Site’s annual dinner in September 2018.
The 2018 Theodore Roosevelt Associate Police Award recipient from Buffalo, NY is New York State Trooper Sean Pierce. 
Trooper Sean Pierce has served in the New York State Police since November of 1998. In June of 2006, Trooper Pierce suffered multiple abrasions and bruises as he was dragged, and eventually dislodged, from an all-terrain vehicle while attempting to arrest the operator. He feared for his life as he was bruised and battered due to the operator of the vehicle refusing to stop. Trooper Pierce had no other choice than to use deadly physical force in an attempt to save his own life. Unfortunately, the operator died from his injuries, but Trooper Pierce survived the incident. After recovering from his injuries, he returned to duty in July of 2006, continuing to perform at an exemplary level. He is now the member-in-charge of the SP Holland Satellite Office and has been a K-9 handler since 2011.
In 2015, he joined the Enhanced K-9 Program and now regularly assists the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) with high-risk tactical operations. The SORT team undergoes a rigorous training regimen that includes physical and mental challenges designed to prepare the members for high risk operations. SORT is often deployed for barricaded subjects, high risk search warrants and search and rescue operations.
Throughout Trooper Pierce’s career he has received numerous letters of appreciation and commendation for his praiseworthy contributions to several high profile and significant investigations, incidents and events; to include:
Awards:
- American Red Cross Hero Award- November 2002
- Genesee County MADD award 2004
- Campaign Safe & Sober Award August 2005
- American Legion Award January 2006
- Stop DWI-March 2009
- Stop DWI-March 2011
Letters of Commendation:
- Officer involved Shooting Wyoming County – March 2006
- Ralph Phillips Prisoner Escape Manhunt – April – September 2006
- Airplane Crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence NY -February 2009
- Severe Flooding Event in Gowanda and Silver Creek – August 2009
- Presidential Security Detail- President Barack Obama- July 2010
- State Police Funeral Detail for Trooper Kevin P. Dobson- March 2011
- Security Detail – Nik Wallenda Walk Over Niagara Falls – June 2012
- Clinton Correctional Escaped Inmates Search- June 2015
- Attempted Murder Investigation Clarence NY – November 2016
View his Letter of Nomination
He is a graduate of East Aurora High School and studied criminal justice at SUNY The College at Brockport before joining the State Police. Trooper Pierce lives in East Aurora with his wife and three children, ages 7, 9, and 11.
The dinner will be held on Thursday, September 27 at Rich’s Atrium beginning at 6 pm. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets to the event (Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Anniversary & Awards Dinner) should contact the Site at 716-884-0095.
