Note: This story has been updated with further information.
Putnam County Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika, a veteran of the department, was suspended without pay after facing misdemeanor assault and harassment charges related to an apparent domestic incident.
“We hold our members to the highest professional and ethical standards,” said Putnam Undersheriff James Menton. He said the Sheriff’s office would “cooperate fully” with the legal process and “will take any appropriate administrative action based upon the findings of both the criminal and internal investigations.”
Merton also confirmed that Sheriff’s Office-issued equipment —including department-issued vehicle, firearms, Taser, badge, and police identification card — were also taken.
While those investigations continue, Menton said, it would be “inappropriate to comment further.”
Putnam Deputy Sheriff has deep connections in community
Osika has strong connections in county and Republican politics. His spouse, Erin Crowley, is a Putnam County legislator and works for U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-Pearl River, as a deputy district director.
Osika is a resident of Mahopac.
Osika is listed as working in the Civil Division on the Putnam County Sheriff’s website.
In 2019, Osika was credited with saving a man from jumping off a Route 6 bridge, grabbing him to safety.
What incident report, NYSP say about alleged assault
According to New York State Police Troop K records, a domestic dispute report was recorded at the Fishkill station at 5 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.
Troopers had been dispatched to a private residence in the Town of Carmel, State Police Troop K Public Information Officer Krystal Paolicelli said.
Troopers at the scene determined that the victim and Osika were involved in a physical altercation, Paolicelli said in an email communication with The Journal News/lohud.com.
Osika was arrested at 6:39 a.m., according to the daily report for Troop K Zone 2.
New York State Police reported the following charges: one count of third-degree assault with intent to cause physical injury, a misdemanor; and one count of second-degree aggravated harassment, which covers a communication of a threat via phone, computer and/or mail, a misdemeanor.
A temporary order of protection was issued by the Southeast Town Court, where Osika was arraigned and released without bail. He had a return court date Feb. 23 but government offices closed for the snowstorm. A future court date was not immediately available.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Putnam deputy sheriff’s assault charges lead to suspension without pay
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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