Valor Awards
Unit Citations
2016 NJSPBA
Valor Awards
In hot pursuit
Unit Citations
Bayonne Local 7
Officer Joseph Kowalski Officer Vincent Mattielli Officer Christopher DeNoble
On Jan. 19, Officers Joseph Kowalski, Vincent Mattielli and Christopher DeNoble were dispatched to a report of a structure fire. They entered the building that was filled with heavy smoke with flames emerging from the third floor and roof. As they systematically evacuated the building, Mattielli found an elderly disabled person on the fire-filled third floor. Kowalski and Mattielli carried the man to safety. Meanwhile, DeNoble located a distressed toddler on the ground floor and carried her to safety. d
Facing off with stabbing suspect
Woodbridge Local 38 Officer Ryan Karabin Officer Patrick Medina Detective Bryan Jaremczak
On Oct. 5, 2015, the Woodbridge Police Department received a BOLO in reference to a stabbing suspect. Officer Karabin located the suspect, who fled to a trailer park, gun in hand, barricading himself in a trailer. Units evacuated the surrounding area, and the Special Operations Team responded; unfortunately, negotiations broke down and the suspect stopped communicating. When the suspect did not comply with commands, gas was deployed. The suspect’ s non-compliance continued until he emerged, pointing the gun at the team. Detective Jaremczak struck the suspect twice with less-lethal rounds, but the suspect remained standing, looking for a gun battle. Officer Medina immediately shot the suspect preventing him from harming anyone. d
Officer Joseph Stulpin Officer Michael Andrews Officer Daniel Norton Detective William Pietrucha Detective Lieutenant Edward Davenport
Grace under water
Cranford Local 52
Lieutenant Craig Marino
Sergeant Frank Williams Captain Joseph Van Bergen Officer Jason D’ Agostino
On Sept. 10, 2015, officers were dispatched on a report of a vehicle submerged in the Rahway River. Upon arrival, Sergeant Williams entered the river and determined a passenger was trapped, unconscious. Officers Joseph Stulpin and Jason D’ Agostino arrived to assist Sergeant Williams. Captain Van Bergen and Lieutenant Marino retrieved rescue tools and equipment, as Lieutenant Davenport, Detective Pietrucha, Officer Norton and Officer Andrews arrived to assist with the rescue efforts. Working as a team, they removed the front passenger first, then the driver. d www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ DECEMBER 2016 67