Adam Fiorideo D'Alessandro, a nationally renowned pioneer in the innovative use of technology to combat crime and manage criminal justice information systems, has died at the age of 92. Adam was the son of the late John and Laura (Ricci) D'Alessandro. As a teen he worked at his father's shoe shine business yet still managed to graduate early from New York City's George Washington High School at the age of 16. He later majored in criminal justice at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he graduated with a B.S. in police science while a father of four and a full time police officer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Mr. D'Alessandro attended the NYPD Police Academy Class of 1940, a class which has since become famous for its large number of out of work professors, engineers, lawyers, and other professionals due to the Great Depression, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class. During a 26 year NYPD law enforcement career ending in 1967, he pioneered the use of several emerging technologies including lasers, infrared, video, and the new to law enforcement computer. He finished his career at NYPD as a deputy inspector at which time he was selected for a leadership role with the fledgling New York State Identification and Intelligence System (NYSIIS), later the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in Albany, NY. During his 16 year tenure at DCJS, he attained the rank of deputy commissioner and became known nationally for his groundbreaking use of laserfax microwave and computers as well as his progressive work as an advocate for the safeguarding of criminal justice data. He retired in 1983. Adam was a devout Catholic all his life and communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park where he served over 40 years in various capacities including eucharistic minister, lector, and bass vocalist with the choir. Singing was one of his greatest joys superseded only by his devotion to his family. He was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the retired law enforcement officer Grump Club. Another of his pastimes which he enjoyed immensely was golfing, which he became involved in as a teen by working as a caddy at various New York City golf courses to earn extra money. For the last 40 years he was a member of the Edison Club in Rexford. Foremost though, Adam is survived by four children; six grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. He was brother of the late Antoinette Mairo.
(Further information can be found in obit in The Daily Gazette) 3/10/11