Michael Maresca
1983 High School West
Hero of Smithtown

Michael Maresca is a 1983 graduate of Smithtown West High School. He is one of two winners of the "Hero of Smithtown" award given by the newly created Smithtown Alumni Association.

Michael proudly serves his community as a member of the Suffolk County Police Department. He joined the Suffolk force in 2001. He was a New York City police officer for 5 years prior to that.

After graduation from high school, Michael went on to receive his Associates degree from Suffolk Community College. He owned his own construction company for several years before getting called to join the New York City police force. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Staudt who also graduated from Smithtown West in 1983. They are happily married and live in Mt. Sinai with their two sons Michael Joseph (11 years) and Jesse Tyler (9 years).

While at Smithtown West, Michael played both Football and Lacrosse. Two of the people who made impressions on him while he was a student at the high school were Coach Macchia and Coach Snyder. He also fondly remembers his days in social studies with Mr. Eastman and Health with Coach John Veit.

Michael has distinguished himself as a Police Officer, and has been the recipient of many commendations for his heroic actions. While a member of the NYPD, Officer Maresca was noted for his act of bravery for rescuing an elderly woman from a house fire. During the winter of 2003, Officer Maresca saved a man who had fallen into the icy waters off Long Island. Officer Maresca risked his own life as he held onto the man until additional rescue help could reach the scene. Many people credit Officer Maresca with the actions which helped calm the man, and keep him calm while awaiting assistance. Congratulations to Michael, a truly deserving winner of the "Hero of Smithtown Award" for 2003.