Proclamations given to residents and police
who saved Montgomery resident from flood waters
By:Roger Alvarado
Two township residents and three Hillsborough police officers were lauded for their acts of heroism by Police Chief Robert Gazaway and members of the Township Committee on Tuesday.
Chief Gazaway and Mayor Steven Sireci thanked township residents Alfred Delorenzo Jr. and Robin Meaney and officers Patrick Murphy and Craig Heindrichs for putting their lives on the line to save 80-year-old Montgomery resident Joseph Krebs from drowning as his car drifted deeper and deeper into the Raritan River on Dec. 11.
"These are four individuals I consider heroes," Chief Gazaway said.
All four were read proclamations of appreciation by Mayor Sireci thanking them for their outstanding efforts.
Afterwards, a humble Ms. Meaney said she was only doing the right thing by lending a hand to the elderly man.
"The bottom line is to celebrate life," she said. "You have to appreciate it and celebrate it because it’s too short."
Departmental medals of valor were awarded to officers Murphy and Heindrichs and a third, Officer Joseph Paschall, who was recognized for his capture of two carjackers on Nov. 17.
"Officer Paschall was en route to another call when he got word that a car had disappeared from Montgomery," Chief Gazaway said. "Seeing a car that fit the description traveling at a high rate of speed along Hillsborough Road, Officer Paschall went after it."
According to Chief Gazaway, after the car crashed at the intersection of Hillsborough Road and Amwell Road, the two suspects attempted to flee.
Officer Paschall successfully apprehended the female suspect and called for back-up before using "verbal" commands to get the male suspect to give himself up, Chief Gazaway said.
"He was able to pick that car out after hearing the description over the radio and take proper action without overreacting," Chief Gazaway said. "For that I’m awarding him the departmental medal of valor."
All three officers said they were proud to be receiving their honors.
"It’s an honor to be recognized with the medal of honor," said Officer Murphy.
"It was an extreme honor," added Officer Heindrichs.
"It felt good to get recognized," Officer Paschall said.
Following the ceremony, Chief Gazaway expressed his personal gratitude to all involved.
"I’ve very proud," Chief Gazaway said. "The two officers exhibited excellent police work and the civilians risked their safety to get involved. It was a real team effort. Officer Paschall displayed excellent police work in apprehending and solving that carjacking from Montgomery."