An officer with Upstate University Police has been honored by the SUNY Chancellor for her heroic actions taken in an effort to save a life near campus.

Lauren Bordonaro was one of a dozen University Police officers honored Dec. 4 in an Albany ceremony by the SUNY Police Chiefs Association. The annual awards honor investigators, lieutenants, officers, and staff for their devotion, bravery and professionalism.  

In honoring the officers, Chancellor King said: “Our University Police Officers have performed life-saving measures, responded to car crashes, searched for missing persons, and performed many acts of both outsized heroism and everyday competence and care to protect those on and around our campuses in the past year,” King said.  “Congratulations to today’s award winners, and gratitude to all University Police Officers.”  

In late August, UPO Bordonaro responded with other Upstate University Police officers to a stabbing and, after assessing the situation, immediately began assisting Syracuse Police with life-saving measures for the victim. Bordonaro was calm under pressure and was able to work with officers on the scene to keep the victim alive until EMS arrived.

“Lauren exemplifies the best among our team,” said UPD Chief Erika Taylor. “This acknowledgement is fitting and demonstrates how our team is always ready to respond to whatever incident may occur.”

Bordonaro has been an Upstate University police officer since May 2023 and was a University Police communications and security specialist (dispatcher) from April 2020 until May 2023. Previously, Bordanaro was a correction officer with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Department of Corrections. 

 Caption: Upstate University Police Officer Lauren Bordonaro, with Deputy Chief Nicholas Newcomb at the SUNY Police Chiefs Association award ceremony.