By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — The police officer who in January attempted to save a township resident who drowned in Plainsboro Pond while trying to save her dog was awarded the Plainsboro Police Department Medal of Honor.
Sgt. Joseph Duffy was recognized at the Plainsboro Township Committee meeting Wednesday night, along with his unit and a civilian who aided in the rescue attempt.
Janet Howard, 61, was walking her dog near her Edgemere Avenue home around 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 when she apparently went after it when it wandered onto the ice. Police believe the ice broke underneath her weight about 25 feet from shore.
The Civilian Citation was awarded to Austin Hearn, 31, of Fox Run Drive, a passerby who contacted police after he attempted to save Ms. Howard.
When police arrived at the scene, Mr. Hearn showed police to a path he had broken in the ice from the shoreline to the open water in an attempt to save the women. He also indicated where he had last seen her.
”His heroism is highly commendable,” said Lt. Thomas DeSimone, who presented the awards on behalf of Chief Richard Furda. Mr. Hearn was not present at the meeting.
Police were unable to locate Ms. Howard, an acquisitions supervisor for Rutgers University libraries. In an attempt to locate her in the murky water, Sgt. Duffy had waded into the pond, searching the area with his feet. He was unable to locate her so he went underwater and felt the bottom of the pond with his hands. Again, he found nothing.
Patrolman Joseph Breyta and Patrolman Joseph Diggs then arrived on the scene with flotation rings and rope. Tethered by the rope, Sgt. Duffy went underwater and searched the area with his hands, but could find nothing in the opaque water.
A firefighter eventually located Ms. Howard about 25 feet from the shoreline. She was brought to the shore, and CPR and defibrillation was initiated immediately. Despite the efforts, Ms. Howard was pronounced dead after she was transported to Princeton Medical Center. The dog survived and returned to Ms. Howard’s home on its own.
While presenting the award, Lt. DeSimone commended Sgt. Duffy for the “outstanding act in the line of duty.”
Patrolmen Potts and Diggs, along with Patrolman Joseph Breyta and Sgt. Duffy, received a Police Unit Citation for their actions.
”It really demonstrated tremendous valor, I think, and we wanted to recognize that,” Mayor Peter Cantu said.
Also at the meeting, township Administrator Robert Sheehan said with state aid figures becoming available, a preliminary budget would be presented at the next committee meeting March 25.
The committee also passed resolutions ratifying collective bargaining agreements with the Policeman Benevolent Association and the Communications Workers of America unions.
Police salaries are proposed to increase 4 percent each year for three years, said Mr. Sheehan said at a meeting earlier this month. CWA salaries are proposed to increase at the same rate for the next two years. Both groups made concessions on their health care packages, saving the township money, he added.

