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NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2014
2014 Valor Awards – Silver Medal of Valor
Son Kissed
Family presence helps officer appreciate the valor
There was 7-year-old SebasPatrolman
tian Gutierrez, along with this 6Javier Gutierrez
year-old brother Xavier and
Paterson Local 1
4-year-old brother Lucas, spinning on the dance floor at Pines
Manor in Edison and literally turning the 100th New Jersey State
PBA Valor Awards into child’s play. On a night of memorable
moments, the most memorable came courtesy of the three sons
whose father, Javier of Pater Local 1, was awarded a Silver Medal
of Valor.
Gutierrez brought his sons to the Valor Awards Dinner to no
doubt share in the celebration of a harrowing moment in which
the 11th year Patrolman had to shoot and kill a suspect coming
toward him wielding a gun. But as Sebastian held and admired
his father’s medal and plaque, here was a living, breathing
reminder of the most important reward for valor.
“In a lot of ways, the incident reminded me how you have to be
alert,” Gutierrez said. “It reminded me that I have three kids and
how important is that I go home to my sons every night.”
Gutierrez is a Paterson native and the type of officer who has
so much faith and pride in his hometown that he works the city’s
fourth ward. That’s the part of town that usually has the highest
incidents of crime each year. He knows the turf and takes the
tough shifts.
One of those was New Year’s morning of 2012. At 4:30 am,
Gutierrez was on patrol when he observed a man pointing a gun
at a group of people. The man then attempted to conceal the gun
in his waist band and walk away from the group.
Gutierrez exited his vehicle, ordering the man to stop and place
his hands in the air. The suspect ignored Gutierrez’s commands
and continued to walk
away faster. The suspect
then started to turn toward
Gutierrez and draw the
weapon from his waist
band. The Passaic County
Prosecutor’s Office said that the man tucked the weapon in his
waistband, prompting Gutierrez to shoot and fatally wound him.
“It’s a rough area to work in and I’m lucky that everything went
well,” Gutierrez added. “I’m lucky and fortunate to be here tonight
celebrating with my family.”
Assault and batteries
Battery thief no match with police power
gathered in the area.
In 31 years in law enforcement, Elizabeth Local
4 Detective Raymond Smith never had to fire his Detective Raymond Smith
The suspect revved the engine as Smith
approached the open driver’s door. He then began
weapon in the line of duty. That all changed on
Elizabeth Local 4
to move in reverse at a high rate of speed. Smith,
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