Evening of honors includes promotion
of 11-year veteran Paul Meixner
By:Eric Schwarz
A "long overdue" recognition of the Police Department was highlighted by Detective Paul Meixner’s promotion to shift sergeant Tuesday night, as he and his fellow officers accepted awards for their work, education and good conduct.
|
‘The men and women of law enforcement are my heroes.’ Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest |
The Borough Council officially promoted Sgt. Meixner, an 11-year veteran of the department, at its meeting Monday.
But Tuesday’s recognition ceremony began with his swearing-in, as the sergeant took the oath of office accompanied by his family.
Sgt. Meixner, previously a detective, is now a shift leader replacing Sgt. John Buffi, who retired.
Hired in 1989, he served until October 1995 as a patrolman and served sic months on the Somerset County Task Force. In 1995, he was assigned to the detective bureau, where he served until several months ago, when he started filling in after Sgt. Buffi’s retirement. His appointment as shift leader was made official this week.
Mayor Angelo Corradino said the night was "long overdue" as he introduced Police Chief Jack Petrovic, who in turn introduced the officers as they received their awards. The chief said he intends the make the ceremony an annual event.
Each of the department’s 25 officers was recognized in some way, from Chief Petrovic, the longest-serving member, who began in 1967, to Patrolman Joseph D. Buda III, who began Jan. 6, though he previously worked as a police officer in Hillsborough.
The officers came one by one to the lectern as Chief Petrovic greeted them and presented them with badges recognizing their achievements. A few were absent because of illness or vacation.
Patrolmen Sebastian Szelag and William Sampson, who both began in 1999, were among 12 receiving the highest of the 16 honors available to the officers. The 17th award is for civilian service.
The two patrolmen were the first officers to respond to the Feb. 1 house fire on South Street, being investigated as an arson and murder.
The two officers entered the burning house, Chief Petrovic said, and saved the lives of five people a tenant and her four guests.
Another resident, 75-year-old Edward Jasinski, died in the fire. His sister, Theresa Jasinski, 66, is being held on the arson and murder charges.
According to the award criteria, the medal of honor "may be awarded for an outstanding act in the line of duty, at imminent personal hazard of life, with full knowledge of the risk involved."
The other officers receiving the medal of honor are: Chief Petrovic; Capt. Dennis Sidorski; Lts. Ira Whitenight and Mark Peltack, Sgts. John Herasymchuck, Peter Demchak, Thomas Herbst and Paul Meixner; and Patrolmen Darren DeGraw and William Yankoski.
"The men and women of law enforcement are my heroes," Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said at the ceremony.
The officers don’t think twice about risking their lives, "when at 2 a.m. they walk up to that car with tinted windows, it may be the last car they walk up to."
At the end of the Borough Hall ceremony, Dick McCurdy, owner of Town Centre Hardware, presented a $100 check to Patrolman Ronald Gazaway to benefit the Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
The officers, their friends and families, celebrated with a reception at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall.