About Us

Pat Fox - President

Attended Junior College of Albany where he received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Accounting and received a Bachelor’s of Criminal Science Degree from Russell Sage College. He retired from the Albany Police Dept. after 36 yrs. and worked for ELSAG North America as the Northeast Field Operations Manager for 4 yrs.

Pat served as the Treasurer of the Albany Police Officers Union for 4 years and was in charge of many of their fundraisers.

Pat served on the Blue Knights International Board for 10 yrs., which is an organization with over 20,000 members in 29 different countries. He served as the International Treasurer for 4yrs., the International Secretary for 4 yrs. and the International Vice President for 2 yrs.

He served as the President of the Capital Dist. Law Enforcement Emerald Society for 8 yrs.

In 2004 Pat was one of the founders of the Capital Dist. COPS Chapter, which was formed after the deaths of Lt. John Finn of the Albany Police Dept. and P.O. Eric Veteramno of the Schenectady Police Dept. He attended the Traumas of Law Enforcement Training that was sponsored by National COPS in Virginia Beach, Virginia and served as its President for 5 yrs. Around the 1 yr. anniversary of the deaths of John Finn and Eric Veteramno an idea was born to set aside a day every year known as Blue Friday to honor the officers who had not only died in the line of duty but also those still working and serving. He reached out to several others and they were able to get the New York State Legislature to set aside a day each year as Blue Friday and he has attended the ceremony every year since 2005 when Blue Friday was founded. He is one of the founders of Blue Friday and Blue Friday of New York where he has served as the President since 2006.

Lou Somma - Vice President

Lou Somma is retired from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Dept. after a 33 yr. career in law enforcement. He served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1965 as a Sergeant. Lou had served as the President of the Ballston Spa PBA and is the Past President of REACT (Radio Emergency Association Communications Team). Lou volunteered with the Capital Region COPS chapter, Blue Friday and is a founding member of Blue Friday of New York where he is presently serving as our Vice President.

Robert Markel - Secretary

Robert Markel retired from the Bethlehem Police Dept. after 28 yrs. of service as a law enforcement officer and retired at the rank of Detective Sergeant. Bob has served as the Vice President of the Bethlehem PBA and is the Past President of the Bethlehem Supervisors Association. Bob was a founding member of the Capital Region COPS chapter where he served as a Director and Secretary and is a founding member of Blue Friday and Blue Friday of New York where he is presently serving as our Secretary.

Selena Dutcher - Director

Selena Dutcher is the Upstate Marketing Director for Albany Broadcasting. She previously worked as the Marketing and Promotions Director for Townsquare Media and represented Country 107.7 WGNA FM, Q103, 105.7 Crush FM and 104.5 The Team. Selena helped to create Blue Friday and has been a board member since the inception of the event. Selena is a 1997 graduate of Siena College with a BA and a concentration in Communications. Selena has worked in Capital District radio since 1997.

Jeff Levack - Director

Jeff Levack has been a member of the local radio scene since 1998. He is currently the Producer of The Sean and Richie Show on Today's Country 1077 WGNA for Townsquare Media of Albany. Jeff has been a proud supporter of Blue Friday and Blue Friday of New York since joining the fundraising effort in 2008, and has worked the Blue Friday event every year since then. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of Blue Friday of New York.

Thomas J. McGraw - Director

I retired from the City of Albany Police Department as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit after 22 years of service. I Graduated from Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice. I Have held the titles of Secretary / Treasurer and now Treasurer for Council 82, The New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, AFSCME, AFLCIO. This police union that represents the Albany Police Officers Union as well as approximately 5,000 members throughout New York State. I have held this position for over 10 years. I have held several positions within the Albany Police Officers Union itself, including the position of Union President. I have held the position of Secretary for the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital District Lodge NY # 14, as well as NYS Trustee for the State Executive board since 1992. I have also been a member of the Albany Police Pipes and Drums since 1992 and have held many positions on the Executive Board, including the position of President. I have been involved with numerous fundraising activities over the years for each of these groups.

I attended the grief training sponsored by the National COP's organization hosted by the New York State Police and recently have been appointed as a member of the board of directors for the Blue Friday New York . With these duties I would assist in the running of the organization, as well as any fundraising duties as needed to benefit the Blue Friday Corporation.

Bryan Pettit - Director

Bryan Pettit is a Senior Court Officer for NYS Courts Dept. of Public Safety, currently detailed to Rensselaer Supreme & County Courts since 1998. I have an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice from H.V.C.C., and an extensive family history in law enforcement. I am excited to be a part of Blue Friday, and look forward to being able to support my brothers & sisters in blue, their families, and continue the legacy of this fine organization.

John R. Dillon - Photographer

John Dillon is a still photographer based in upstate New York covering assignment, commercial, documentary, editorial, event and news photography. He has been published worldwide in major newspapers and publications by assignment and his extensive work with major wire services earning numerous awards with the Catholic Press and the New York Press Association.

Dillon retired from law enforcement in New York and Florida prior to becoming a full time photographer. He is Vice President of the Albany, NY Chapter of the Renegade Pigs, MC, a Trustee of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital District Lodge #14 and a member of the National Press Photographers Association. To view his work and contact information, see www.JRDPHOTOG.com

Ramon Guerrero - Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Ramon Guerrero is a retired City of Albany police officer.  He graduated with honors from State University of New York At Albany with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a dual major in English and Women’s Studies.  He received the advanced degrees of MPA (Master of Public Administration), MSW (Master of Social Work), and a CGS (Certificate of Graduate Study in Not-for-profit Policy), all from the State University of New York at Albany. He is presently working on his Ph. D. at Albany State. He completed all his coursework before taking a leave prior to dissertation. He is currently a licensed social worker in the states of Massachusetts and New York.

Ramon was one of the founding members of the Capital Region COPS chapter, Blue Friday and Blue Friday of New York.  He is a member of the FOP, VFW, and President of a local Blue Knights chapter. He has worked clinically for several private and governmental agencies in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer counties, and also maintains ties to Berkshire County, MA.

He was the Lead Peer Coordinator for the Albany Police EAP program. Ramon has focused extensive continuing education towards trauma, grief, and substance abuse. He has held numerous trauma and grief counseling sessions and debriefings for individuals and groups.  His dissertation research has been on trauma and burnout in police officers