NORTH BRUNSWICK – The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has named Officer Joseph Grasso of the North Brunswick Police Department its Officer of the Month for January 2019.
On Dec. 8, 2018, Grasso was working a special duty assignment when a call came in about an apartment complex fully engulfed in flames, according to information released by the NLEOMF. Grasso responded to Albury Way in Governor’s Pointe, where he was met by other officers. The apartment complex was completely consumed in flames.
Officers noticed a family on a second-floor balcony attempting to escape. Their only exit was blocked by raging fire. Grasso stood on the first-floor railing and pulled himself onto the second floor. He climbed over the second-floor railing and carefully dropped two children down to the officers on the ground. Grasso then assisted the children’s grandparents to safety, according to information provided by the NLEOMF and the North Brunswick Police Department.
“Upon hearing the severity of the call, I knew it would be an all hands on deck situation,” Grasso said in an interview. “It’s a rewarding feeling that could not have been accomplished without our teamwork.”
“Officer Grasso performed without hesitation that night, selflessly, and with only one option in mind: to save lives,” North Brunswick Captain Brian Hoiberg said in the statement. “He and the officers that assisted him should all receive recognition for a job well done. We are extremely proud of not only his actions on that evening, but of all of our officers that stand ready to perform daily.”
Grasso has been a member of the North Brunswick Police Department since 2005. Prior to that, he served with the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Knowing that no two days are the same and that you are able to make a lasting positive impact on a complete stranger’s life,” is what Grasso said makes the job so rewarding.
Grasso, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2019, will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in 2020.
In addition, the New Jersey Devils held their Law Enforcement Appreciation Day game on Feb. 9 and honored Grasso as their “Hero of the Game.”
“It’s a bit overwhelming; however, I am honored to be recognized by an organization as noteworthy as the NLEOMF,” Grasso said.