By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
In recognition of their assistance in saving an officer who was pinned underneath a vehicle during a drug bust on South Main Street in February, 10 members of the Manville Police Department were honored with plaques and a standing ovation during the April 13 Borough Council meeting.
”They are representative of the skill and bravery of the officers in Manville,” Mayor Lillian Zuza said as she presented the plaques to each honored member of the department. “I’ve never been more proud of Manville cops.”
Receiving the honors were Lt. John Crater, Sgt. Paul Meixner, Patrolman Michael Peterson, Patrolman John Granahan, Patrolman Stephen Illes, Detective William Yankoski, Patrolman Nicholas Franzoso, Patrolman David Sheffrin, Patrolman Richard Canuso and Dispatcher James Piorkowski.
According to Chief Mark Peltack, the February incident occurred while a change of shift was going on at the department, so there were many officers around to provide assistance.
”If something like that had to happen, it couldn’t have happened at a better time, manpower wise,” he said. “Our officers turned out promptly.”
On Feb. 25, members of the Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said members of his office’s Gangs and Guns Task Force responded to information that Flemington resident Jesse Paulino, 24, would be conducting a narcotics transaction on South Main Street with Manville resident Donna Miller, 44. Officers approached Mr. Paulino’s vehicle after the transaction occurred and attempted to stop him after identifying themselves as officers.
Mr. Paulino accelerated forward in his vehicle, striking an officer and pinning him beneath it, Mr. Forrest said.
The injured officer was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital with serious injuries to his head, neck, back and lower extremities. The following day, the officer was listed in stable condition, and was released from the hospital several days later.
On March 19, Mr. Paulino was indicted for first degree attempted murder, third degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, third degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, third degree resisting arrest and two counts of second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose while committing certain CDS crimes.
Mr. Paulino was lodged in Somerset County Jail on $500,000 cash bail.
Following the incident, Ms. Miller was charged with third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine, and was released after posting $25,000 bail with 10 percent to apply.

