1968 alum Frank Tummillo honored with posthumous Assisi Award and criminal justice scholarship

Saint Francis College alumnus Frank Tummillo ('68) was killed in the line of duty in 1972 during an undercover narcotics investigation. Tummillo was honored posthumously with the 2024 Assisi Award and the announcement of a criminal justice scholarship in his name thanks to the fundraising efforts of his Alpha Phi Delta fraternity brothers.  Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division, accepted the posthumous Assisi Award presented by Saint Francis University President, Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D., at the University's annual Founders Day Dinner on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Saint Francis University bestowed its 2024 Assisi Award posthumously to honor Special Agent Frank Tummillo, Class of 1968, at the University's annual Founders Day Dinner on Friday, October 4, 2024.

The Assisi Award, named in honor of the University's patron, St. Francis of Assisi, is the highest honor bestowed by Saint Francis University, recognizing an individual, person, group, organization, or agency that exemplifies the spirit and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi in the modern world.

Frank Tummillo entered Saint Francis College in 1964 and pledged Alpha Phi Delta fraternity his freshman year. He served as pledge class president, vice president, and president, along with serving on the school's Interfraternity Council, where he was admired for his leadership and integrity. He graduated in 1968 with a B.A. in Political Science, and having been recruited during his senior year, he immediately began work as a special agent with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, today's Drug Enforcement Administration.

On October 12, 1972, Tummillo reported to an undercover sting operation at a Manhattan's West Side hotel. He was only 25 years old and a month away from marrying his fiancé, Carla, when he was shot and killed in the line of duty that evening.

Now, 52 years after his sacrifice, his legacy still serves others. During the Assisi Award ceremony, University President, Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D., announced the establishment of the Special Agent Frank Tummillo Scholarship in Criminal Justice.

"First, I want to thank the brothers of Alpha Phi Delta after their recent success in memorializing their fraternity brother, Mike Asselta, also known as "Goody," Class of '67, with a named endowment in support of the Dorothy Day Outreach Center.," Fr. Van Tassell began. "This same group of Alpha Phi Delta brothers, all from the classes of 1968 to 1972, turned their attention to raising awareness of the good Frank Tummillo brought to this world during his short life. They worked with the Office of Advancement on a plan to establish the Special Agent Frank Tummillo Scholarship in support of criminal justice majors. And in just a few short months, nearly $70,000 has been raised from the Alpha Phi Delta brothers, members of the Class of 1968, current and retired Drug Enforcement Administration officials, and Frank's family."

Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division, spoke to Saint Francis University students in Dr. Mark Buckwalter's criminal justice program earlier in the day about DEA careers before accepting the posthumous Assisi Award on behalf of Tummillo later that evening.

Tarentino shared these words with the crowd: "Frank Tummillo's name and legacy are woven into the very fabric of the Drug Enforcement Administration, specifically the New York division, which I have the honor and privilege of leading and representing here this evening. I want to thank The Alpha Phi Delta brothers and Saint Francis University for creating this scholarship and for keeping Frankie's name in the forefront of our minds."

He also reflected on Tummillo's connection to the University's mission and values, "I learned earlier today that the motto of Saint Francis is 'become that someone,' someone who inspires success, who possesses caring and compassion while working towards the mission and the values of Catholic Franciscan faith, generosity, respect, discovery, and joy... It was evident that Special Agent Frank Tummillo was that someone."

"More than half a century after the tragic and senseless death, Special Agent Frank Tummillo lives on in our work, our culture, our mission, our history, and now right here at Saint Francis University with the Frank Tummillo Scholarship," he continued. "Tonight, it is my privilege to represent the New York Division as we recognize and remember one of our very own fallen Special Agents, Frank "Frankie" Tummillo, for his sacrifice and service to this country, to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York Division."

Alpha Phi Delta fraternity brothers in attendance:

Front row:  Bob Kanach '71, Claude Fusco '68, Tom Egan '67, Bob Vlasaty '68, Jim Tulloch '72 Middle row:  John Muffo '69, Frank Petronella '67, Bob Falk '71, Paul Rooney '71, John Cotter '74, Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, TOR (president), Mike Onufrychuk '71 Back row: Bob Crusciel '86 (VP for Advancement), Gil Holzheimer '72, Chuck Mattes '70, Mike Flott '74, Jim Kilcoyne '71, Phil Mullen '71, Bob Dececco '66

About the Criminal Justice Major at Saint Francis University

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, with an optional Cybersecurity Concentration, prepares students for careers in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, juvenile and adult probation, community and residential reentry, loss prevention, cyber-security, forensics, and security. Saint Francis University criminal justice majors benefit from evidence-based practices, technology, experiential learning, and classroom courses, providing them with a professional, technical, and ethical foundation.

Several members of the Tummillo family were in attendance at Founders Day to honor their cousin Frank: (L-R):  Helene Pokrowski, Ken Pokrowski, Patricia Catenaro, Craig Vagell, Jr, Marilyn Vagell, Craig Vagell, Paige Bacigal '23 (B.S. Nursing), Cindy Bacigal, Frank Bacigal.

Photo Gallery

View all photos: Founders Day 2024 Photo Gallery