Suffolk police to name new marine vessel after officer who lost battle with cancer

The Suffolk County Police Department will name a new Marine Bureau vessel after a sergeant who died in 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. 

Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison will join members of the Marine Bureau and family members of the late David Cherkes at a dedication ceremony for the vessel — a 38-foot Safe Boat used to patrol Suffolk waters — on Thursday in Great River. 

Cherkes served as a Suffolk police officer for 29 years, including two stints with the Marine Bureau, one as a sergeant. He was with the Marine Bureau until he retired in July 2020, the department said. 

During the last 18 months of his career, Cherkes battled stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but he continued to work while undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery. He died on Oct. 23, 2020.

Cherkes spent two years with the NYPD before joining Suffolk police. He grew up in Deer Park, graduated from Deer Park High School and attended Suffolk Community College and SUNY Farmingdale before becoming a cop. 

Cherkes also served in the Third Precinct, the Fourth Precinct, the Highway Patrol Section and the Expressway Enforcement Section. He was promoted to sergeant in 2020. Cherkes was awarded the Meritorious Police Service Award after he, along with two other Fourth Precinct officers, pulled a crash victim from a car that had struck a utility pole and burst into flames. 

He also received four department recognitions, two command recognitions and was named officer of the month on two occasions.

By Michael O’Keeffe

Michael O’Keeffe covers Suffolk County police and other Long Island law enforcement agencies. He is an award-winning journalist and the co-author of two books, “The Card” and “American Icon.”