Gabriella Decker of Watkins Glen, NY has been awarded the Edward J. Kiernan Scholarship by the International Union of Police Associations. Decker is the daughter of Steven Decker, a member of the New York State Union of Police Association, an affiliate of the International Union of Police Associations. She will be attending the Niagara University where her course of study will be International Studies for a career in Counter-Terrorism.
Every year, the I.U.P.A. selects promising students who demonstrate academic excellence coupled with the desire to pursue studies and careers within the law enforcement field in order to assist them with the costs of attending an academic institution. Of this auspicious honor, I.U.P.A. Legislative Member-At-Large and President of New York State Union of Police Association, Anthony Solfaro, stated, “Gabriella is a bright, promising young woman who will make great contributions to the Counter-Terrorism field. New York State Union of Police Association is proud of her accomplishments.”
The Edward J. Kiernan scholarship was established in 1999 by Sam A. Cabral, I.U.P.A.’s International President to honor Edward J. Kiernan, a New York City Police Officer and former I.U.P.A. President in recognition of Eddie’s long commitment to the improvement of law enforcement officers’ and their families’ lives. When asked about the reason he created the scholarship, Cabral said, “Our future rests in the hands of young people who choose the noble path of dedication to careers that serve the public interest, public safety one of the most perilous and honorable among those. We have an obligation to future generations to support these young people who choose a life of public service.”
In order to qualify for a Kiernan scholarship, an applicant’s parent or guardian must be a member of an affiliate of the I.U.P.A. The applicant must also be accepted at an accredited university or college in a course of study in law enforcement, labor relations, or a related field. He or she must submit a transcript as well as their SAT scores and a letter of recommendation by an official from the applicant’s school.
