SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Several police officers were recently recognized for their acts of bravery during the year.
The annual awards ceremony was held on Nov. 30 at Pierre’s Restaurant on Georges Road.
Sgt. Hugh McNeil, and patrolmen Don Whicker, Frank Lombardo, Bryan Hughes and Robert Jairdullo each received an Exceptional Service medal.
On Feb. 8, the officers were dispatched to the Brookside Mobile Home Park on Route 1 for a trailer fire. The arriving officers learned that a child was trapped in the residence. Under adverse conditions the officers risked personal safety in several valiant attempts to rescue the child.
Patrolman Steve Walrond received a life-saving medal for pulling a man from a burning vehicle.
On Feb. 8, Walrond responded to a motor vehicle accident on Raymond Road. At the scene he learned a man was still trapped in his burning vehicle. Walrond’s quick and decisive action in pulling the man from the vehicle saved the driver’s life.
Sgt. Gary Luck, Patrolman Joseph Deprossimo, and Patrolwoman Tara Fiandaca also were awarded life-saving medals for rescuing a resident from a smoke-filled apartment.
On July 7, the officers responded to a report of smoke coming from a Fresh Ponds apartment. The officers crawled through the smoke-filled apartment and located an unconscious man. The officers were able to awaken the man and bring him to safety.
Sgt. Thomas Glapion received an Exceptional Service medal for responding to an incident on June 3. Glapion directed a squad of officers as they encountered a knife-wielding, suicidal man. Glapion was able to diffuse the tense situation without injury to any officer or to the man.
Sgt. Mark Domino, Sgt. McNeil, patrolmen First Class Ronald Horinko and Michael Kushwara, along with patrolmen Scott Williams, Mike Rogers, Eugene Rickle, Don Whicker and Ronald Seaman won Exceptional Service awards for an incident on Aug. 5. The officers were part of a contingent that responded to a disturbance at the Kendall Park roller skating rink. The officers were able to disperse a raucous crowd of over 700 people with minimal property damage and no serious injuries.
Patrolmen Joseph Deprossimo and James Ryan received life-saving medals for helping a woman give birth.
On April 8, the officers were dispatched to Route 130 and Stults Road for a woman giving birth. The officers found the baby had just been delivered but was blue and having difficulty breathing. They were able to clear the baby’s airway and wrapped the baby in clothing.
All the officers listed below received an award for their service:
On Aug. 7, Patrolman First Class Greg Rule used his knowledge of auto theft to successfully identify and capture a suspect who had victimized Brad Benson Mitsubishi.
On May 23, Patrolman Dan Olsson took a purse theft report from a customer at Grand Union. He followed up by checking area stores and developed a videotape of the suspect. He tracked the suspect to a motel were he recovered the stolen purse. In another incident on Aug. 12, Olsson stopped a motor vehicle on New Road. During the stop he recovered a loaded 9 mm Ruger handgun the driver had under his foot. On April 4, Olsson was dispatched to Jones Drive for a possible child in distress. During the course of his investigation he uncovered a large marijuana growing operation at the residence.
On Sept. 20, a brutal assault left a housekeeper near death at the Red Roof Inn. As lead investigators, detectives Edward George and John McNamara pursued the suspect throughout the day. After canvassing the area and conducting extensive interviews, they arrested the suspect within 12 hours of the attack. Patrolmen Eugene Rickle and James Ryan also responded to the brutal assault at the Red Roof Inn. They diligently pieced together three crime scenes, linking the suspect to the assault.
On July 7, Auxiliary Officer Jim Deery assisted with crowd control after a stabbing at the Kendall Park roller rink. Deery also located a knife that was possibly used in the attack. Deery provided urgently needed manpower and contributed significantly to the investigation, according to police.
On Nov. 15, Patrolman Gary Holsten stopped and questioned a suspicious man in Beekman Manor. Based on his inquiry, the man was linked to a burglary at a township home earlier in the day.