Ogdensburg swears in new officers

OGDENSBURG — “Do you want to hold the Bible for me?” Police Chief Stephen Gordon asked his daughter before Mayor Steve Ciasullo officially “swore him in” as the new Ogdensburg Police Chief, Monday, Dec. 21, at the Ogdensburg Firehouse.

Family, friends, dignitaries, mayors, council members, retired police chiefs, and police officers from surrounding towns joined Ogdensburg Chief of Police Stephen Gordon, Sgt. Joseph Sanfilippo, and Sgt. Stephen Davis for their public “swearing in” and signing of contracts. All three had been unanimously promoted last week by the Ogdensburg Borough Council.

Suddenly, the sound of bagpipe music called everyone's attention to the event at hand.

Ciasullo said the Borough knew the three officers would bring to Ogdensburg: professionalism, honor, dignity, caring, and protecting the residents. He added it is a very important day for the borough.

Loved ones held the Bible as the officers were sworn in. Gordon swore Sanfilippo and Davis into their new positions.

Two retired Ogdensburg police chiefs — George Lott, 2008, Vietnam Veteran, and William Varcadipane, 2013 — stood in the back of the audience.

After the bagpiper finished playing, “America,” police officers and officials congratulated the newly promoted and sworn in officers.