The Portuguese community recently honored long-time Chief Mike Spae and the Mineola Auxiliary Police Department (MAPD) for their service to the community and much appreciated effort during the Portugal Day Parade of 2016. Represented by Mineola residents Gabriel Marques, President Emeritus of the New York Portuguese American Leadership Conference and Rosa Leiria, parade deputy chairperson, the community delivered a donation of $1,000 to the MAPD on behalf of the Daughters of Portugal and a certificate of appreciation from the Portuguese Government’s Diaspora Advisory Council.
On hand for the ceremony at MAPD headquarters on Garfield Avenue were Mayor Scott Strauss and trustee Dennis Walsh, who both praised the leadership of Spae and the heartwarming effort the auxiliary officers put day in and day out to make Mineola one of Long Island’s safest villages. The Daughters of Portugal, who organize the parade, also presented the MAPD with an iconic Rooster of Barcelos for the station house, which Spae prominently placed in a display case.
