Deputy Chief James F. Bartscherer

Deputy Chief James F. Bartscherer has shown determination and perseverance in returning to work after overcoming several illnesses over the past ten years. He has thirty-four years of service in the Nassau County Police Department.

In May of 2010 Deputy Chief Bartscherer was at the Nassau County Police Memorial at Headquarters when he suffered a serious medical episode requiring hospitalization. A heart defect was discovered which required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. After recovering, Deputy Chief Bartscherer returned to work full duty.

In August of 2018 while attending National Night Out in Elmont, Deputy Chief Bartscherer suffered severe abdominal pain and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital where a serious digestive system blockage was discovered. Recovering after two months, he returned to work full duty and even attended and graduated from the FBI National Academy in March of 2019.

In August 2019 another very serious illness presented itself. Deputy Chief Bartscherer was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He attempted several rounds of treatment without success. He was then required to have lifesaving surgery to remove his bladder. After further treatment and rehabilitation, he once again returned to work in February of 2020 to Command the Fifth Precinct.

Deputy Chief Bartscherer’s grit and determination during all of these difficult times, along with his infectious optimism, was an inspiration to his staff and peers. It is a privilege to honor him as the recipient of the 2020 Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Award.