Runners race to honor fallen suffolk police dispatcher in annual 5k

Key Points

The 8th Annual Anthony Bocchimuzzo Memorial Scholarship Fund 5K was held Sunday in Yaphank.
Greg Rachman won the men’s race in 18:05; Silvia Khurrum was the top female finisher at 24:31.
Proceeds fund scholarships for Longwood High School seniors.

YAPHANK, NY – Hundreds of runners laced up Sunday morning for the 8th Annual Anthony Bocchimuzzo Memorial Scholarship Fund 5K, a community race held in memory of a longtime Suffolk County Police Department dispatcher.

Photo: runners race to honor fallen suffolk police dispatcher in annual 5k

The event drew both competitive athletes and families, with Greg Rachman breaking the tape in 18:05 and Silvia Khurrum leading the women’s field in 24:31. Before the main race, children sprinted through a 1K Fun Run, earning cheers from the crowd.

A legacy of service

The race honors Anthony “Tony” Bocchimuzzo, who died in 2017 at age 49 after suffering a heart attack. A dedicated member of the SCPD Communications Section for more than 20 years, Bocchimuzzo’s service was recognized when the county named its 911 Call Center in his memory in 2018.

Supporting local students

Proceeds from the run fund the Anthony Bocchimuzzo Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to graduating seniors at Longwood High School who reflect his values of dedication and service.

Organizers thanked participants and volunteers for ensuring the event’s success, keeping alive the memory of a man who spent decades answering calls for help.

–– The finish line was just the start of honoring Bocchimuzzo’s legacy.

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