Conklin Scholarship winner announced

Monroe - Jason Edwards of the Woodridge Police Department was named the 28th recipient of the Police Officer Jason D. Conklin Memorial Scholarship at the recently held 2006 Rockland County Police Academy graduation. Orangetown Police Officer David Madalena was awarded the police academy’s Drill Instructor Award, which was established by the Rockland Police Academy in memory of Conklin. The drill instructors select the police cadet who most emulates the dedication and professionalism that Conklin displayed when he was a recruit. The recipient receives an academy plaque as well as a savings bond. Conklin, who grew up in Monroe, died in the line of duty in a car accident in 1997 shortly after joining the Village of Tuxedo Park Police Department. He was 22. The scholarship fund in his name was established to assist young men and women pursuing their goals to become police officers. Some recruits have to pay their own tuition, purchase uniforms and equipment to attend the police academy and the scholarship covers this expense. Of the 28 recipients, some have used the scholarship to attend college. Students pursuing a degree in criminal justice can also apply for the scholarship and if they meet the criteria, they could be awarded the scholarship to financially assist them. The scholarship is funded through donations and two annual fund raisers. A venison dinner which is being held on Feb. 3, and a golf outing that will be held in July 2007 at the Otterkill Golf Course. Additional information can be found online at www.jasonconklin.com.