Township honors 6 area samaritans
By Matt Chiappardi, Staff Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The night Officer Paul Wille’s patrol car struck a utility pole and tree he couldn’t see the faces of the six people who pulled him out of the vehicle seconds before it burst into flames.
”I heard them, but I couldn’t turn around to see anything. All I heard were voices and felt myself being pulled out of the car,” he said.
On Monday night, Officer Wille, 27, was finally able to see the faces belonging to those voices and met the people who saved him from the wrecked car that could have claimed his life.
”No words can describe how I feel,” Officer Wille said about meeting his rescuers. A few moments later he simply said, “It feels great. I’m glad to finally put faces to the names.”
The six people: Kyle Cornelius, of Old York Road; Kelly Davis, of Monmouth Junction; Mattieu Dutraix, township address unlisted; Jeffery Lang, of Allentown; Terrence Nish, of South Brunswick; and Shannon Scott, of South Brunswick, were all recognized by the township Monday evening. Mr. Lang had an ongoing engagement he could not break and was not able to attend the event, Mayor Janice Mironov said.
They each received a clear plaque in the shape of the township logo during the Township Council’s meeting.
About 100 people attended the event including Officer Wille’s new wife, Valerie, and more than a dozen of his family members.
Ms. Wille, who was married to Officer Wille on Aug. 31, could hardly contain her emotion.
”There are no words to fully describe the gratitude I have for these people. If it weren’t for them, who knows what could have happened,” she said.
She was in tears as she gave each of the five attending heroes a small wrapped gift. She later explained the angst she felt as a new police bride dealing with the first bit of uncertainty that can strike any law enforcement officer at any time.
”We just came back from our honeymoon in Aruba. If we get through this in our marriage, we can get through anything,” she said.
At 7:20 p.m. Oct. 21, Officer Wille was rushing to assist another officer who was engaged in a physical altercation with a man on Cedarville Road. While traveling on Old York Road, he lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole and tree.
Police Chief William Spain said the cause of the accident was “unsafe speed for roadway geography and configuration,” and pointed out that speeding is permitted by law for officers responding to an emergency.
Chief Spain was beaming with gratitude when he publicly spoke to the rescuers Monday.
”Your decisive and prompt action was remarkable. When I learned that night what you had done, you fully made me proud to be a human being,” he said.
Mayor Mironov also joined in the praise.
”You often wonder about what kind of people live in our communities,” she said. “Their quick-wittedness, quick reflexes and a willingness to help out in a time of need made a difference in someone’s life. There aren’t many people who can say they made a difference by saving someone’s life.”
Officer Wille was rushed to Capital Health Systems at Fuld in Trenton the night of his accident complaining of back and neck pain. He was released a few days later in good condition.
His recovery, however, continues as evidenced by the neck brace he wore Monday.
He said he suffered a fractured neck, gashes to his head and elbow, and a bruised right knee.
”It’s going well,” Officer Wille said about his recovery. “Hopefully I’ll be fully recovered by January. I’m very anxious to return to work.”
Chief Spain said the entire police force came together to support the Willes and joked that he had to tell the other officers to stop calling and visiting so, “Paul could get some sleep.”
The six heroes are also scheduled to be honored Saturday by the state Patrolman’s Benevolent Association at its annual Valor Awards Banquet in Edison. They will receive the Citizen’s Award and be presented with a gold medal and plaque.