Two names added to memorial and photographs are replaced
Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia marked the commemoration of Archives Month October 17 with a ceremony rededicating the Wall of Honor at Town Hall commemorating the Huntington Police Department, which served the Town from 1933 until it merged with the newly-created Suffolk County Police Department in 1960.
The exhibit, which was originally dedicated in 2003, included a plaque listing 174 names of officers in the department and a wall of historic photographs, dedicated in 2005, showing the department in action. The photographs had faded over the years; as part of the rededication, they were replaced and additional photographs were added. The photographs had been obtained by Dr. Alfred Sforza, who has written several books on Huntington Station history, and resident Edward Zitek. Town archivist Antonia Mattheou curated the exhibit, under the direction of Town Clerk Raia.
As part of the rededication, which also was attended by Councilman Eugene Cook, two other persons were honored. The name of Officer Stephen J. Bugala, who joined the department in 1947, was added to the plaque, as his daughter, Anita Hoehne, grandson Michael Attanasio and two great-grandchildren looked on. 
Special recognition was given to Constable George Probeck, who died in the line of duty in 1932. Constable was an elected post. On Sept. 24, 1932, Constable Probeck and his family were attending a film at the Huntington Theater on New York Avenue (now the Paramount), when three men entered the manager’s office intending robbery. Constable Probeck, borrowing the night watchman’s gun, attempted to thwart the robbery. He was fatally shot by one of the robbers, who were subsequently apprehended. Three weeks later, the Town Board voted to create the Town police force, effective January 1, 1933.
Attending the ceremony were some members of the department, as well as some families of former officers. Following the ceremony, Supervisor Petrone, on behalf of the entire Town Board, presented a proclamation to Town Clerk Raia marking the celebration of state Archives Month and highlighting the rededicated exhibit.
