Village Police Promote Four, Hire One

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 10:29

Durell Godfrey

April 27, 2023

Four East Hampton Village police officers were promoted at Friday’s village board meeting as proud family members looked on.

Lt. Jeffrey Erickson was promoted to captain; Sgt. Jack Bartelme is now a lieutenant, and officers Matthew Kochanasz and Wayne Gauger were promoted to sergeant.

Police Chief Michael Tracey, second from right in the photo above, awarded the promotions. In addition, the department also appointed a new full-time officer, Brandon S. Esposito.

Posing with family after the meeting were, from left, Sergeant Gauger, Sergeant Kochanasz, Lieutenant Bartelme, and Captain Erickson, whose brother, Suffolk County Police Officer Christopher Erickson, is at the far right.

Drivers, Cyclist Were Hurt

Four people were assessed by responders from the Montauk Fire Department, but declined further treatment, after they were struck by a woman trying to park her Honda sedan near the Montauk Brewing Company. Also in Montauk, a Volvo S.U.V. struck an e-bike on Main Street, resulting in injuries to the 13-year-old bicyclist.

Jul 31, 2025

On the Police Logs 07.24.25

A caller reported three youths lying “in the middle of Suffolk Street,” next to a black S.U.V., at around 3 in the morning on July 14 in Sag Harbor. The three told police they were waiting for a friend and were out on the street because their vehicle had no air-conditioning.

Jul 24, 2025

Crash on Napeague Stretch

Toyotas were on a tear this week, with four accidents on local roads resulting in injuries.

Jul 24, 2025

Felony Charges in Three Arrests

East Hampton Town police made three late-night arrests last week, all of them ending in felony charges, from assault to forgery to drug possession.

Jul 24, 2025

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