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By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville

May 14, 2025: I am back to writing my truly favorite columns; “Up Close and Personal” conversations with our incredible police officers.

The citizen and officer feedback on this column has been so positive and further increased the wonderful connection and conversations between residents and our folks in blue.

The two gentleman I profiled first share a commonality of being men of few words, but I know you would enjoy their thoughts; in particular why they chose to serve in the Village of Bronxville.

Police Officer Anthony Franciotti

Police Officer, Badge 49, Anthony Franciotti, grew up in Astoria Queens and moved to the Westchester area after high school. He remembers wanting to be a police officer since he was a little boy as he always enjoyed saying hi to the officers in his neighborhood and was always curious about what their job entailed. Anthony has been a longtime friend of Bronxville as he actually worked at the Bronxville DPW for a few years before training as a police officer. His first policing assignment was in another community, but he said he always knew he would find himself back in his Bronxville home where he already had so many positive relationships.

Anthony believes the Bronxville Police Department differs from other departments because it truly values community relationships, which is such a large part of effective policing in a small community. He also enjoys so many of the officers in the department, calling many of them lifelong friends. When he’s not with us in the Village, he enjoys riding his bike and hiking, and when he is on duty, his favorite places to nosh are Dumplings and Noodles and Il Bacio, hence the need to do that biking! When asked about his favorite part of the job, he said it is at this moment in time when the weather warms up and so many community members are walking about giving him a chance to interact with every generation.

Police Officer Dimitri Gallard

Also, a gentleman of an economy of words, Police Officer Dimitri Gallard, Badge Number 41, also wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid. When he saw how sharped officers looked, he truly admired them and wished to be like them someday. Most importantly, he said his desire to be an officer comes from the belief that it is one of the noblest of professions. He chose Bronxville because of the myriad of opportunities to pursue advanced training, which were not available in past positions.

In addition, he feels our department encourages officers to handle bigger roles and build skill sets. He respects the amazing history the Village embodies with its value on community and was drawn here in no small part because he noticed how happy both the police and the residents are and their willingness to connect with each other. Dimitri also added, “And, it doesn’t hurt that we have great food establishments. When he is on patrol, his favorites being the Bronxville Diner, Taco Project and Opa Opa. He recently bought a guitar from Guitar Center in Yonkers and is teaching himself to play through YouTube. So, if anyone’s willing to offer some free lessons, just look for Officer 41! As I write, Officer Gallard became a proud graduate of SUNY Canton with a degree in applied psychology.

Police Officer Brandon Serrano

A bit more loquacious is Officer Brandon Serrano Badge Number 44. Brandon was born and raised in Brooklyn, educated at Monsignor Mc Clancy Memorial High School and then went to the borough next-door to get a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at St. John’s University. He currently lives with his family north of us in Rockland County.

Unlike the two previous officers profiled, Brandon originally wanted to be a lawyer but found the policing field much more exciting and he developed a bigger passion for a law enforcement career. He noted that starting in the NYPD could make every day exciting!

His start with the NYPD was early through a college internship called the Cadet Corps where he received a great understanding of police work and it just drew him in. As he said “Knowing every day at work will be different and always unpredictable helps keep you on your toes and the adrenaline high.”

He left the NYPD to pursue his career in a smaller department that focused on community policing and furthering the training of all the members. He noted the training in our department is well above and beyond anywhere else and he fervently believes continuing training is a huge part of who one is as a police officer. The great community engagement and ensuing relationships and the encouragement to get better every day makes Bronxville feel different from any other department experience. Brandon has observed it stands to reason as his favorite part of the job is interacting with the community and being recognized by the residents, demonstrating a mutual level of respect and rapport which engenders great connections.

Another Dumplings and Noodle devotee, he’s a west side food guy also enjoying Full Moon Pizza. After indulging, he does spend his free time working out and playing team sports, including baseball and basketball. One of his most treasured moments was being on duty to meet our local Boy Scouts during their overnight camp out on the Village Hall lawn as he was able to get to know a lot of the young men and their parents and also play a little football!

Police Officer Fadi Khader

Officer Fadi Khader Badge Number 40 grew up in a tight knit community in Yonkers surrounded by a large and supportive family. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business from Manhattan College and currently he and his wife are celebrating two years of marriage with the hopes of starting their own family. Fadi always respected and admired the law enforcement profession but it wasn’t until later in life that he realized he wanted to be a police officer as his path to this profession was shaped by a very personal experience.

When his brother, Police Officer Fadi Khader fell ill with glioblastoma, he witnessed firsthand the incredible power of community and support during his battle. The camaraderie of the law enforcement community was overwhelming. Fellow officers offered endless strength, kindness and unwavering support that left a lasting impact on him. The experience inspired Fadi to pursue a career where he could offer that same sense of support to others during difficult times.

He was drawn to the Bronxville PD because of its strong reputation. He finds it a cohesive department where everyone knows each other and one really feels a connection with the community as well. It also is a place of nostalgia as growing up, his parents used to bring Fadi and his siblings to Häagen-Dazs as a treat. Being now on that corner feels like life has come full circle.

Officer Khader believes the great strength of our department is the value it places on proactive policing where officers truly get to know the people they protect. Answering my query as to what is the most enjoyable part of the job, he said, “Undoubtedly it is the residents, shop keepers and all those employed by the Village who have one thing in common – a love for Bronxville.”

Like our other officers, he loves the culinary delights in the Village and Fadi’s list is long. He is a regular Park Place Bagels patron buying a dozen of the fresh mini bagels, which are perfect to bring home to family and finds his favorite egg white, turkey bacon and avocado on a sesame roll a perfect ending to the night shift. He and his wife had a chance recently to enjoy dinner at Underhill’s Crossing and in his words, “I will definitely go back as the food and staff were amazing.”

In his free time, Fadi likes to be around his 13 nieces and nephews and watch them grow up, reach new milestones and develop their own personalities. If he is not attending one of their events or activities, you will always catch him gathered around a big family table enjoying a nice meal.