SPI History
HERO SPI MEMBER PAUL BABAKITIS SAVES LIVES ON JETBLUE FLIGHT
Long Time SPI member Paul Babakitis was one of the passengers credited with subduing the JetBlue pilot who exhibited erratic life threatening behavior on a flight from NYC to Las Vegas. Paul is a retired NYPD Sergeant and principal of PGB Executive Investigations, Inc. The pilot seemed determined to crash the plane and sacrifice the passengers. Paul’s action clearly helped save the lives of over 150 passengers and crew and was in the finest tradition of law enforcement and the security profession.
SPI Celebrates Its 56th Anniversary!
By Charles Iadanza, Past President
In 1955, a group of 10 men met and
decided to formulate an organization dedicated to fostering networking between
law enforcement professionals. These men
envisioned an organization that would be called The Society of Professional
Investigators of New York. They were
investigative professionals who began
their careers toiling during World War 2 for the OSS/OSI, the Office of
Strategic Services/ Office of Strategic Intelligence, which was the predecessor
to the C.I.A.
They
were our founding fathers, Joseph Kaitz, John Cye Cheasty, Michael J. Monz,
Thomas F. Jones, Paul Alfieri, Anthony J. Marsloe, Anthony C. Mancuso, Lloyd F.
Flannery, Peter E. Terranova and John O’B. Clarke. Thus
began the SPI. Therefore, with the help
of Herman Bass, Esq., they petitioned the Supreme Court of the First Judicial
District of New York State on July 3, 1956 to incorporate the Society of
Professional Investigators under the Membership Incorporations Law of New York
State. Finally, Justice Felix C.
Benvenga signed an order granting the incorporation on July 6, 1956 and it was
filed with the N.Y.S. Secretary of State on July 9, 1956.
The
Society has grown and prospered since then.
When the Society gives out it’ Law Enforcement Person of The Year Award,
it has recognized such august personages as Robert F. Kennedy, Edger F.
Croswell who uncovered the notorious meeting at Aplachin, N.Y., Arthur C.
Christie, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern Dist., Urbanus, Brown, Chief – US
Secret Service, Charles “Pat” Ward, S.A.I.C, N.Y. F.B.I., Joseph, Kaitz, Comm.,
N.Y. Waterfront Commission, William, J. O’Connor, Sup’t. N.Y.P.A.,
Service, N.Y. Office, John J. Gary, Comm., Suffolk County, Louis J. Lefkowitz,
then Attorney General, N.Y. S., Clarence M. Kelly, director, F.B.I., Michael J.
Codd, Comm.., N.Y.P.D., William C. Connelie – Sup’t., N.Y.S.P.D., Mario Merola,
D.A. – Bronx Cty., Frank Rodgers, comm.., N.Y.S. Div. of criminal Justice
Services, Robert J. McGuire, Comm.., N.Y.P.D., Thomas P. Puccio, Esq. – ABSCAM
Prosecutor, James T. Sullivan, Chief of Detectives, N.Y.P.D., Dennis Dillon, D.A.,
Nassau County, John F. Keenan, Justice, Southern Dist., N.Y., Richard Nicastro,
Chief Of Detectives, N.Y.P.D., Mario Biaggi, U.S. Congressman, Charles J.
Hynes, N.Y.S. Special Prosecutor – Dep. Attorney General, Rudolf, W. Giuliani,
Ass’t. Attorney General, Southern District, N.Y., William Bratton, Comm.,
N.Y.P.D. and many others of equally great note.
The
Society has also been chosen for such honors as participation in the New York
State Governor’s Occupational Work Shop on Professional Licensure in the areas
of licensure for Private Investigators and Watch Guard/ Security Guard
Licensure.
Those who
have joined S.P.I. have, indeed, joined an auspicious organization with a
tremendous history. Please join together
and enjoy this magnificent event as we celebrate our 55th Anniversary!!
