Valor Awards
Saving a veteran
On Jan . 20 , Sergeant Prescott Chin , Officer Brian Robbins and Detective Brian O ’ Neill were dispatched to a residence for a report of a suicidal man armed with a knife . Upon their arrival , the officers began canvassing the man ’ s apartment building in an attempt to locate him .
Lifesaving Award
Sergeant Prescott Chin Patrolman Brian Robbins Detective Brian O ’ Neill Dunellen Local 146
An hour later , the officers located the man in the parking lot of the complex . He was distraught and had a razor blade in his hand . Officers tried to talk him out of hurting himself , but he turned away from them . When he turned back , the officers could see that he had cut himself deeply , several times down both sides of his neck , and was now bleeding profusely . After the officers disarmed him , he collapsed from his injuries and blood loss .
Detective O ’ Neill physically controlled the man ’ s bleeding , while Sergeant Chin and Officer Robbins helped render medical aid and worked with the arriving medical units to stabilize the man for transport to a medical facility .
“ I couldn ’ t have done it without these two guys ,” said O ’ Neill . “ There ’ s no special training for a guy who cut his throat . It ’ s the job — we were doing the job .”
They later learned that the man was a military veteran and that his issues may have been related to his service . Robbins added that perhaps O ’ Neill did have something special to bring to this situation .
“ Detective O ’ Neill has a background in military service , and I believe the man was an Army ranger , so he was very well decorated in the military ,” said Robbins . “( O ’ Neill ) was able to deal with someone in that state of mind .”
Due to the officers ’ actions without hesitation , the man received medical attention in time and was able to make a full recovery . d
Stopping the bleeding
On Aug . 16 , Cherry Hill patrol units were attempting to locate a suicidal man . Officer Craig Jones took notice of a car matching the description of the one the man was said to be driving .
Upon approaching the vehicle , Jones confirmed that it was the man he was looking for . He opened the door and asked the man
Lifesaving Award
Police Officer Craig Jones Cherry Hill Local 176
70 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2017
to step from the car . The man then pulled the door shut and produced a large butcher knife , which he put to his throat . He began yelling at the officer , asking Officer Jones to shoot him .
The man plunged the knife into his own throat , causing profuse bleeding . He then held the knife to his chest , but before he could do any further harm to himself , Officer Jones deployed his Taser , causing the man to drop his knife .
Officer Jones then removed the man from his car and took him down to the ground so that he could render medical aid . The officer controlled the bleeding with pressure and a Halo bandage . The man was later transported to a medical facility and ultimately survived the incident .
Jones , who has been a police officer for 12 years , works in the patrol division and is part of the traffic safety division . He said he was honored to receive this award .
“ It ’ s nice to be recognized for your work ,” he said . “ It was exciting to go up there and have my whole family here to see me receive the award .”
Jones also credits his police training in helping him to assist the man in need .
“ It could have been anyone sent to that call , and anyone would have handled it in a similar fashion ,” he said . “ It ’ s a statement on how our department handles these situations .” d