Jonathan Bucchere named Officer of the Year.
By: Jennifer Potash
The Princeton Borough Police Department recently honored some of its officers for excellence as well as some civilians for supporting the department.
The department held its annual awards banquet Jan. 17 at the Hibernian Hall in Hamilton.
Patrol Officer Jonathan Bucchere was presented the Officer of the Year award for exceptional dedication to duty, superior performance, motivation and a positive attitude in the service of the department and the community. Officer Bucchere, who joined the department in 1999, will join the department’s Safe Neighborhoods unit and will be an instructor in the DARE anti-drug program in the Princeton Regional School District.
The Gallantry Award, presented to Sgt. Donald Dawson, Sgt. Robert Currier and Patrol Officer Ralph Fiasco, honored the police officers’ bravery and efforts to arrest three armed men who robbed the J.E. Caldwell jewelry store June 26.
Three officers Detective Sgt. Curtis Vanchoff, Sgt. Robert Currier and Patrol Officer Holly Sorbino were given Meritorious Service awards for bravery and outstanding performance in entering a smoky and burning apartment in an attempt to save the life of a borough man April 3.
Patrol Officer Courtney Heller received a letter of recognition for her efforts in a narcotics investigation where she went undercover and was able to buy drugs from dealers, resulting in their arrest.
The department also honored R. Peter Hodge, owner of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, and Monsignor Walter E. Nolan, the police chaplain and also pastor at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church on Nassau Street, for continued support of the department for many years.
Retired Lt. John Reading also received a plaque and gifts from the department commemorating his 25 years of service to the borough.
Other guests at the dinner included Ken Lozier, an attorney and former borough police officer who delivered Thanksgiving dinners to the officers for more than 10 years, Princeton Borough Prosecutor Marc Citron and Princeton University Department of Public Safety Director Steven Healy.