Thumbs up
From a convention that provided many indelible and inspirational images, perhaps the most inspiring came when a video of Atlantic City Local 24 Officer Joshlee Vadell was shown leaving Atlantic City Regional Medical Center. As he was taken out on a stretcher en route to a rehab facility in Philadelphia, Vadell, who was shot in the head after responding to a robbery outside Caesar’ s Casino and was in critical condition for several days, gave the Local members at the hospital – and by extension the entire PBA convention – a thumbs up.
After seeing the video, President Colligan exclaimed,“ Miracles do happen.” Local 24 President Matt Rodgers then stepped to the microphone to send up some more inspirational words.
“ That morning of the shooting was horrible but Pat Colligan was there within an hour-and-a-half and the phone calls and other support were non-stop,” Rodgers related.“ I have never been prouder to be a PBA member.”
Rodgers also recognized Cop2Cop for providing response to help out Vadell’ s partner and other members of the Local. The Local also started a GoFundMe campaign that had raised more than $ 100,000 at the time of the convention to support Vadell
and his wife, who were expecting a baby in October. d
2016 NJ State PBA Convention – Phoenix, Arizona
For the well-being of members
Nobody really wants to hear the report from the NJ State PBA Peer Liaison Committee and the PBA Clinical Services Program. That’ s because at the time of the convention, there had already been nine police suicides in New Jersey in 2016. And another one came shortly after the convention.
So after Chair Mike Pellegrino reminded members,“ This is not a matter of if, but when,” and“ make sure to ask the tough questions,” Dr. Michael Bizzarro, a therapist with the PBA’ s Clinical Services Program and Director of First Responder Services at Princeton House Behavioral Health, made a presentation about the“ Five Essential Elements” of mental health.
Dr. B emphasized the first of these as well-being.“ You can control what you do in your life,” he charged.“ You as a membership have a responsibility to you, yourself and your children.”
A survey on behalf of Clinical Services was also circulated to members at the convention to identify services needed at the Local level. A report on the survey will be made at a future
state meeting. d
A big check
One of the most benevolent moments at every convention is when members of a Local or County Conference step up to make a donation to the NJ State PBA Survivor & Welfare Fund. This year, the honors went to the Monmouth County Conference, which presented the big check for $ 15,000 raised at its“ Pension Pig Roast” on July 10. d
56 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ OCTOBER 2016