Suffolk Courts Celebrate Promotion of Court Officer Major Tony Amado

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – The Suffolk County Courts on November 5, 2026, honored the promotion of Tony Amado from Captain to Major during a special event held in the Ceremonial Courtroom at the John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex. The ceremony was hosted by Suffolk’s District Administrative Judge Hon. Andrew A. Crecca and presided over by Suffolk’s Chief Court Officer David Santiago. The special ceremony drew judges, scores of uniformed and retired court officers, judicial staff, court personnel, attorneys, family members, and distinguished guests from across the region, underscoring Major Amado’s exceptional career and the Suffolk Courts’ continued commitment to excellence, professionalism, and public service.

The event filled the Ceremonial Courtroom to capacity, with not a single seat remaining, and reached an even larger audience through a livestream broadcast. Among the notable attendees to recognize Amado were Major Anthony Mung, a Senior Instructor at the Court Officers Academy, Captain Jessica Herrera, of the Office of Court Administration’s Department of Public Safety and Lorie-Ann Bitetti, Suffolk’s District Executive. The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by the New York Courts Ceremonial Unit and a beautiful rendition of The National Anthem performed by Senior Court Clerk and former Court Officer Denise Ynoa. Afterward, all attendees were invited to enjoy light refreshments outside the Ceremonial Courtroom.

“Today we gather to recognize not only a promotion, but a career that has been defined by dedication, professionalism, and service,” said District Administrative Judge Crecca. “Tony Amado has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and an unwavering commitment to public safety, and he has earned a reputation for excellence, integrity, and reliability. Time and time again, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help colleagues, judges, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and members of the public.”

Major Amado began his career as a New York State Court Officer in 2006 and has since built a distinguished record of service over the past two decades. Promoted to Sergeant in 2016, he later served in a variety of leadership roles and specialized assignments, including the Ceremonial Unit, the Special Response Team, judicial protection details, firearms instruction duties, and defensive tactics training. In 2023, he was promoted to Captain of Training, where he oversaw the development and professional growth of more than 280 court officers. Amado is the recipient of the Suffolk Courts’ 2024 Noel Bonilla II Achievement Award and he also recently helped launch Suffolk’s chapter of the New York Courts Law Enforcement Explorers Program.

“I’ve often times described Tony as my Swiss Army Knife,” said Chief David Santiago. “Whenever I needed a task to be done or a unit to be run, Tony always accepted the call and stepped up to lead and inspire others. It didn’t matter what unit I put Tony in, or the assignment I gave him, Tony handled himself with such confidence and dedication that I never had to look over my shoulder or double-check to see that it got done.”

Following the presentation of his new shield, a soft-spoken Amado reflected on the people who helped shape his career, expressing gratitude to those who supported him along the way.

“A good leader is nothing without a great team behind them,” said the newly minted Major. “All I can say is that I greatly appreciate all of my fellow court officers, instructors, judges, court staff, my family and friends—I can’t thank you enough.”

With Amado’s promotion, Chief Santiago and the Suffolk County Courts will now have, for the first time, the support of four full-time Majors to help oversee the district’s expansive court operations. Major Amado will be assigned to lead the Riverhead West Command, where he will supervise all security operations at both the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex and the Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court building.