NJ Cops June2018 | Page 31

Top Cop Had he not been behind Josh on Sept. 3, 2016, he would have come to Police Week to remember Josh as a fallen officer whose name would have been inscribed on the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Through all of this, Tommy has become the yin to Josh’s yang, a purveyor of the lessons learned from the event that he asserts as being Top-Cops worthy. “To have a plan if something happens and to remember, it’s a fight for your life. Don’t give up,” McCabe began. “For me, it was about the medical attention I gave him. Everyone focuses on me killing the suspect that shot Josh. That’s cool and all, but I like to be recognized for the medical aid I gave Josh. That means the most to me. I’d rather be known for saving his life.” Perhaps the reason why Vadell emerged as the hero of heroes at Top Cops 2018 grew from the understanding that only law en- forcement officers have about the paradox at work here. The night before the awards dinner, Josh, Laura, Tommy and a group of Lo- cal 24 members attended the Candlelight Vigil. It was the second consecutive year they did so. And when the roll call of fallen of- ficers hit New Jersey, and NJ State PBA Executive Vice President Marc Kovar stepped up to read the names of the state’s lost who were added to the Memorial wall, Josh turned to Tommy. “I was there last year, too,” Josh explained. “Before they read (NJ State Trooper) Frankie Williams’s name, my heart skipped a beat and I got chills because I knew that my name would have come before Frankie’s. So this year, I just turned to Tommy and said, ‘Thank you for keeping me off the wall.’” How far Josh has come from being thisclose to being added to the wall can be measured in miles – 300 or so to be more succinct. He has become a supporter for Law Enforcement United (LEU), and this year he and Laura made the LEU bicycle ride from New Jersey to the Memorial. He took on the ride as a personal challenge. It became an en- deavor to drive home the message behind every thumbs-up, the essence of what it meant to Josh to be a Top Cop. “I just want them to know that as bad as things can get for them, there’s always a silver lining,” he cheered. “And once you hit bottom, there’s only one way to go. I have been to the bottom, and I am working my way back up. I want everybody to see that and feel that.” His rise, his road back, his wherewithal to ride from Jersey to Washington D.C. is fueled every day with Laura’s relentless faith. This was a big weekend for the Vadells. Laura’s birthday was Sat- urday, May 12. Mother’s Day was that Sunday. And Monday of- fered that if there ever were a Top Cops for spouses, the first hon- oree would be Laura Vadell. “She’s the one who keeps my spirits up whenever I get down on myself,” Josh declared. “