NPDF in the News

NPDF Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti Honored as Italian American Man of the Year

Joseph Occhipinti with guests at the Women's National Republican Club ceremony

The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) is proud to announce that Executive Director and Founder Joseph Occhipinti was honored as Italian American Man of the Year by the Women’s National Republican Club during a ceremony held October 8, 2026, in New York City.

The recognition celebrates Occhipinti’s distinguished career in federal law enforcement, his decades of service supporting law enforcement professionals, and his international humanitarian efforts.

A Distinguished Career in Law Enforcement

Recognized as one of the nation’s most decorated federal agents, Occhipinti spent five years working undercover investigating international crime syndicates and drug cartels.

Throughout his career, he earned 78 official commendations, including three U.S. Attorney General Awards, recognizing his exceptional dedication and contributions to law enforcement.

A Legacy of Service and Humanitarian Work

In 1995, Occhipinti founded the National Police Defense Foundation, a congressionally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and supporting law enforcement professionals.

His commitment to helping others extends beyond law enforcement. Through Operation Kids, an initiative he established to arrange lifesaving medical procedures for critically ill children worldwide, Occhipinti has helped advance international humanitarian efforts.

His humanitarian accomplishments have earned numerous honors, including his appointment as a Papal Knight by Pope Francis.

NPDF Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti at the Women's National Republican Club award ceremony — NPDF Founder and Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti at the October 8, 2026 award ceremony in New York City.

Recognition and Appreciation

During the ceremony, Occhipinti also discussed his memoir, FRAMED: I Never Stood a Chance, and shared his perspectives on organized crime and the challenges facing modern law enforcement.

NPDF extends its sincere appreciation to Women’s National Republican Club President Jane Pontarelli, First Vice President Patricia Sherwood, and Chairwoman Sandra Baruch for recognizing Occhipinti’s lifetime of accomplishments.

Congratulations to Joseph Occhipinti on this distinguished honor and his continued dedication to protecting and supporting those who serve.

NPDF PRESS RELEASE

JUSTICE FOR NYPD SERGEANT ERIK DURAN LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF), a congressionally recognized and IRS designated non-profit organization, would like to bring to your attention the plight of NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran, who was found guilty of manslaughter in February 2026, in a case where the NPDF feels a miscarriage of Justice occurred.

In August 2023, Sgt. Erik Duran, a highly decorated member of the NYPD, was supervising a “buy and bust” operation in the Bronx. One of the suspects attempted to evade capture by mounting a nearby motorcycle and driving it on the sidewalk, directly at responding officers. Fearing that his officers would be seriously injured or killed by fleeing felon Eric Duprey, Sgt. Duran grabbed an Igloo cooler and hurled it at Duprey to divert him from crashing into his officers, their prisoner, or bystanders.

Sgt. Duran’s actions saved the lives of innocent civilians nearby, his officers and their prisoner. Unfortunately, suspect Duprey, a known member of the Trinitarios street gang who was not wearing a helmet, was killed. Attorney General Leticia James chose to prosecute the Sergeant for Manslaughter, and after a bench trial in February 2026, Sgt. Duran was found guilty of Second-degree Manslaughter.

On April 9th, 2026, Judge Guy Mitchell sentenced the former Sergeant to three to nine years in prison, and he was immediately taken into custody after sentencing in what the National Police Defense Foundation believes is a blatant miscarriage of justice. We believe that Sgt. Duran never intended for the suspect to be injured or killed. The sole predicate for his actions that day was to protect his officers, other suspects and bystanders from Duprey, who recklessly fled at a high rate of speed along a pedestrian walkway created a clear and present danger of death or serious bodily injuries to others, thereby justifying the Sergeant’s actions.

At the direction of Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti and the Executive Board, the National Police Defense Foundation has created the Sgt. Erik Duran Legal Defense Fund. We encourage all our members to donate whatever they can so that bail can be arranged for the former Sergeant pending appeal.

The National Police Defense Foundation is a Congressionally recognized and IRS approved 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to protecting and defending law enforcement. All donations are tax deductible. Donations may be sent by going to www.npdf.org or by calling 1-888-SAFE COP.

The NPDF Executive Board,

Joseph Occhipinti
Michael J. Palladino
Michael Barry
Anthony Lacorazza
Robert Henderson

Member of the Year

Commander Anthony Lordo, Jr.
United States Park Police (NY)

Commander Anthony Lordo Jr. is a law enforcement executive with the U.S. Park Police, currently serving as the Commanding Officer of the Liberty District. In this role, Commander Lordo is responsible for the comprehensive management of public safety, security, and law enforcement operations at two of the most iconic and high-profile national landmarks in the world – the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island.

With more than twenty-two years of federal law enforcement service, Commander Lordo has built a distinguished career defined by strategic leadership, operational excellence, and expertise in complex, high-threat security environments. He oversees law enforcement operations across Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and mainland security screening facilities in Manhattan, NY, and Jersey City, NJ. His command includes U.S. Park Police patrol officers, specialized units such as SWAT, K‑9, and Marine Patrol, as well as contracted security forces and advanced physical security systems. He ensured continuity of operations, emergency response readiness, and the protection of nationally significant icons that remain symbolic targets for terrorism.

Commander Lordo also serves on the Executive Board of the FBI-New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, where he contributes senior-level leadership and operational insight to counterterrorism initiatives, intelligence sharing, and interagency coordination across the New York metropolitan area.

Previously, Commander Lordo held senior leadership positions at Gateway National Recreation Area, where he managed a broad portfolio of public safety, law enforcement, and emergency services programs throughout National Park Service lands across New York City and Sandy Hook, NJ, requiring coordination across multiple jurisdictions and complex operational environments. As a Lieutenant, he served as Icon Security and K9 Unit Commander, advising senior leadership of the Department of the Interior’s Icon Security Council on protective strategies and security standards for nationally significant assets.

Commander Lordo is also a former SWAT Sergeant and a graduate of the FBI SWAT School. He has directed tactical operations for numerous high-profile events and protective missions, including visits by Heads of State, senior government officials, and foreign dignitaries, ensuring seamless coordination between federal, state, and local partners.

Commander Lordo holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science Degree in Education from Wagner College. It is with a great deal of pleasure that the Executive Board of the National Police Defense Foundation presents our prestigious “Member of the Year Award to U.S. Park Police Commander Anthony Lordo, Jr.

Man of the Year

Sean M. Curran
Director , United States Secret Service

Sean M. Curran is the 28th Director of the U.S. Secret Service, assuming office January 22, 2025.  As Director, Mr. Curran is responsible for the successful execution of the agency’s integrated investigative and protective missions. He leads a workforce comprised of more than 8,200 Special Agents, Uniformed Division Officers, Technical Law Enforcement Officers, and Mission Support personnel.

Throughout his 23-year law enforcement career, Mr. Curran has led operational security plans for some of the most complex National Special Security Events in the history of the Secret Service. Most notable were his successful integration of modern protective methodologies deployed during major site visits and events, including the 2024 Presidential Campaign, and oversight of logistics coordination for the 2016 Presidential Debates. Events of this magnitude require coordination of thousands of campaign visits, collaboration with Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and management of a multi-million-dollar budget and 400+ Special Agents. Prior to his appointment as Director, Mr. Curran established and served as the Special Agent in Charge of the Donald Trump Detail, where he strategically led the physical multi-state protection portfolio for the 45th President.

Director Curran began his Secret Service career in September 2001, as a Special Agent in the Newark Field Office, where he conducted protection, intelligence, investigations, recruitment, and logistics support for the district.

From 2008-2013, Director Curran was assigned to the Presidential Protective Division within the Office of Protective Operations, where he provided physical protection to the President of the United States and his family. This assignment would amplify his readiness for future assignments such as the Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge of the Dignitary Protective Division (2014 – 2016) and the Washington Field Office (2016 – 2018) where he managed response teams to critical incidents throughout Washington, D.C.

In 2018, Mr. Curran was promoted to the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division, with direct oversight and responsibility of multiple protectees, as well as reviewing, analyzing, and enhancing security plans for the President’s multiple residences.

Mr. Curran holds a master’s degree in human resources training and development from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. His undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stockton University in Galloway Township, New Jersey.

It is with a great deal of pleasure that the Executive Board of the National Police Defense Foundation presents our prestigious “2026 Man of the Year Award” to U.S. Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Francis J. Russo
U.S. Customs Border Protection

Director Francis J. Russo directs the activities of nearly 3,000 CBP employees. His area of responsibility in New York and New Jersey includes two of the country’s busiest international airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR); the east coast’s largest container seaport (New York/Newark); two International Mail Facilities, including the nation’s busiest; and the Pharmaceuticals, Health and Chemicals Center of Excellence and Expertise (PHC Center).

Director Russo oversees CBP’s national security and anti-terrorism operations, immigration, and agriculture inspections, and trade enforcement efforts throughout the New York metropolitan area, where in Fiscal Year 2021, over $314 billion in imported goods and more than 7.8 million international travelers entered the United States, a total greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Director Russo recently served as the Acting Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner for Operations Support. In this role, he supported CBP operations and enabled mission execution across eight subcomponents: the Office of Intelligence; the Office of International Affairs; the Office of the Chief Medical Officer; CBP Watch; Laboratories and Scientific Services; Law Enforcement Safety and Compliance; Planning, Analysis, and Requirements Evaluation; and the Mission Support Directorate.

Director Russo was previously the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Intelligence, where he directed efforts to provide timely, actionable, and relevant intelligence to frontline personnel in support of CBP’s enduring mission priorities.

From 2017 to 2020, Director Russo entered the Senior Executive Service as the JFK Port Director. He directed the activities of more than 1,800 CBP employees, who worked across the diverse operational demands of five international passenger terminals, the nation’s largest International Mail Facility, two express consignment carrier facilities, twenty-four general air cargo facilities, and four general aviation airports on Long Island.

Additionally, he previously served as the Assistant Director for Border Security in the NYFO, where he managed and implemented CBP policies, programs, and procedures for both JFK and Newark. He was detailed to CBP’s National Targeting Center as the Acting Director of the Counterterrorism Division, where he worked to refocus CBP’s goals and objectives to support counterterrorism response.

Director Russo also served as a Watch Commander at JFK Airport, and a Supervisor in the Passenger Analytical Unit at JFK. He entered on duty as an Inspector with the United States Customs Service in 1995 under the outstanding scholar program. He is a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government Senior Managers in Government Program, Harvard University. Russo is a career member of the Senior Executive Service. He is married and has one daughter.

It is with immense pleasure that the Executive Board of the National Police Defense Foundation presents our 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to CBP Director Francis J. Russo.

Businesswoman of the Year

Kellyanne Conway
KALConsulting, LLC

Kellyanne Conway is an internationally recognized strategist, business advisor, and political leader who made history as Campaign Manager of the come-from-behind Trump-Pence 2016 victory, becoming the first woman in U.S. history to successfully helm a winning presidential campaign. She later served nearly four years in the White House as Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor to the President, advising on major domestic and international policy initiatives spanning trade, energy, technology, workforce development, national security, drug interdiction, healthcare, education and the economy.

Her firm, KALConsulting LLC, provides strategic counsel, survey research, data analytics, and executive advisory services to global corporations, investment firms, trade associations, and nonprofit leaders navigating complex regulatory, legislative, geopolitical, and reputational environments. Her firm consults numerous Fortune 100 companies and multinational enterprises across advanced technology, artificial intelligence, automotive manufacturing, energy, biotechnology, financial services, asset management, retail, logistics, media, and entertainment. Clients include Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Google, Netflix, Maersk, Verizon, Comcast, Cisco, Caterpillar, HP, TikTok, Spotify, McKinsey, Accenture, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Lazard, Goldman Sachs and OpenAI. In the energy sector, she helps companies drive U.S. energy dominance and next-generation infrastructure investment. She remains a key voice to President Trump and senior Administration officials on initiatives that strengthen competitiveness, expand domestic investment, and accelerate job creation, security and fairness in America’s Golden Age.

Kellyanne is also a sought-after speaker on the domestic and international circuit, addressing corporate boards, industry associations, investor conferences, and global leadership forums. She speaks on geopolitical risk, regulatory trends, economic competitiveness, and the intersection of business and government. Most recently she addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Munich Security Conference, where she joins global policymakers, CEOs, and thought leaders..

Prior to her White House tenure, Kellyanne was for 22 years the sole proprietor of the polling company, Inc./WomanTrend (1995-2017), and sat on numerous boards. She has been licensed to practice law in four states and is currently a Fox News Contributor. She is a Member of the Board of the Atlantic Council and is a Commissioner on America250, the bicameral, bipartisan congressional body managing the USA’s sesquicentennial. Her memoir, Here’s the Deal, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Kellyanne is the blessed mother of a son and three daughters.

The National Police Defense Foundation is proud to present the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year Award to Kellyanne Conway in recognition of her lifelong accomplishments and public service.