Note: You can read the village's "One Square Mile" newsletter here.

By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville

Jan. 29, 2025: I have received such wonderful feedback on our series introducing our police officers in an “up close and in personal way.”

The officers’ profiles detailing their background and interests have cemented resident-officer connections, so I continue even further into the department of our dedicated officers as the officers responded to sharing their backgrounds with joy that you want to know them even better.

Officer Ahmed Danso-Faried

With his contagious smile, I am sure you’ve seen Ahmed Danso-Faried (Badge #37). Ahmed was born in Ghana but spent his formative years in Tuckahoe where he went to Middle and High school and where his parents still reside. He then went to Northeastern University in Boston where he majored in Criminology and Criminal Justice and minored in African American studies.

Not always wanting to be a police officer, but Ahmed said he always had an inkling that he wanted to work in a profession where he could help and protect people and police work fit the bill as it is a profession of service. In his words, “People don’t call the police to share news of their lottery tickets, they call because there is an event in time where they need aid in some way and being able to bring them some sense of peace even for a moment is one of the best things about the job.”

When I asked why the Bronxville PD, Ahmed relayed that an academy classmate transferred to Bronxville from another department so he made inquiries as to the work environment in the Village. He favorably compared it to his experience growing up in Tuckahoe, when family and friends would come to various Village establishments, and when seeing an officer, they never failed to wave and sometimes engage in conversation.

This led him to believe that the community-focus style of policing was still going strong in Bronxville and he wanted to be a part of that. Ahmed enjoys the mutual approachability with the residents, loving when children are excited about seeing the police car. Allowing our younger citizens to activate the lights, hear a few sirens or their name through the speaker is magical for Ahmed as well as the new young friend.

He feels the distinguishing characteristic of the Bronxville Police Department is the opportunity it gives its officers for ongoing training. Since becoming an officer with us, he has received an EMT certificate, the opportunity to attend instructor development training allowing him to have secondary assignments for the department as a field training officer and defensive tactics instructor and he is currently signed up for crisis intervention training in March, all funded by the department.

While on patrol, Officer Danso-Faried admits to being a “coffee at work” guy enjoying libations from Slave to the Grind and Booskerdoo. When in need of a snack, its Gillard’s on Palmer. When not working, on the top of his list is dancing with his year old daughter he shares with his wife Temina. He claims not to be the dance instructor but she is a natural!

Detective Justin Sokol

Detective Justin Sokol (Badge #29 ) was born and raised in Yonkers, attended Catholic grammar school and graduated from Archbishop Stepinac playing four years of soccer as goalkeeper.

Immediately following high school, he joined the electrical union where he completed a five-year apprenticeship learning electrical theory and craftsmanship.

After soul searching, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and cousins into law enforcement by joining the NYPD, followed by two years with the City of White Plains Police Department training new officers on the street. In 2022, he joined our department where he became a member of the emergency response unit and has completed special weapons and tactic school.

In his words, “I am proud to say I am a detective in one of the most prestigious Westchester County Villages.” In September of last year, he was promoted to the rank of Detective and now leads all investigations for our PD.

Officer Sokol’s grandfather retired from the Yonkers Police force after 38 years of service; his cousin Pete retired from Scarsdale PD after 20 years with his cousin Anthony still active in Scarsdale as a fellow detective. The list keeps going as cousin Joe is still working in the 52nd precinct in New York City, cousin Laura is a Lieutenant in the Yonkers Police Department and his youngest cousin is a police officer in Yorktown. His family’s overwhelming respect for the shield also became his calling.

When Justin puts on the uniform, he feels purpose, fulfilled by being someone that you can rely on in time of need. Officer Sokol also enjoys being a training instructor, and providing his fellow officers the necessary skills they need to thrive.

Very early in his career, he saved the life of a young woman stabbed in a domestic dispute in front of her children and left to bleed in the hallway with her two kids watching in fear. Justin and his partner took extreme measures to save her life, got her to Jacobi Hospital and she now lives peacefully with her two children.

Justin lives in Eastchester with his wife Alexa, who is a special education teacher at the Bronxville School and their 18th month old baby girl Cali. When an opportunity opened up in the Bronxville PD, he said he jumped at it being so familiar, thanks to his wife, with the safety and conviviality of the entire community.

His family’s favorite escape is to head to a friend’s cabin in Sullivan County to enjoy hunting, lounging, bonfires, motorsports and good company as the Catskills brings him a sense of tranquility and peace.

Given his expert electrical training, another hobby is building things with his hands, often taking them apart and putting them back together to make them stronger and better.

He and his wife also enjoy dining at Rosie‘s and sharing some wine at Ernie’s.

In closing, Justin just wanted residents to know that since joining the Bronxville Police Department, he has accomplished every goal he set thanks to the support of the team: becoming an instructor, training new officers, being trained in special weapons and tactics, a firearms instructor, EMT trained and now the lead detective. As he said, “Life is Good.”