Bridgewater Police Awards

MEDAL OF VALOR:  Officer Kochanski

MEDAL OF MERIT:  Officer Rice, Officer Kennedy

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD:  Sgt. Hoey, Officer Cerro

CPR SAVE AWARD:  Sgt. Jurczak, Officer Augliera, Officer Bezak,

Officer Bernhard (2), Officer Dauton, Officer Albanese.

LETTER OF COMMENDATION:  Lt. Delin, Sgt. Caravela, Officer Bernhard,

Officer Schubert, Officer Guerra, Officer Zeichner,  Officer Kochanski (2),

Officer Payne, Officer Edwards, Officer Statiulaitis, Det. Rice, Officer Dailey,

Dispatcher Cavallo, Dispatcher Collins

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD- Officer Lamey

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD- Officer Ochs

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD- Officer Reilly

On March 3, 2007, Officer Lamey, Officer Ochs and Officer

Reilly responded to 24 Tunison Lane for a reported structure fire.

Upon their arrival at the condominium complex, they observed

the rooftop to be engulfed in flame.  Prior to the arrival of the

Fire Company, Officers Lamey, Ochs and Reilly made forced

entries into the affected homes to search for and evacuate any

occupants.  Together,each Officer displayed extraordinary courage

while risking their personal safety for the citizens of Bridgewater Township.

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD- Officer Savare

  LETTER OF COMMENDATION- Detective Hoey

On June 28, 2007, Officer Savare conducted a routine motor vehicle stop which resulted in

the arrest of the driver and passenger, both being

NJ Wanted Persons.  Subsequent investigation revealed that the driver also

possessed a stolen credit card.  During the arrest processing procedure, Officer

Savare determined that the subjects had been staying at the Days Inn, room 209.

Detective Hoey responded to the motel and located a male and female.  A

warrant check revealed both to be NJ Wanted Persons. Detective Hoey arrested

these subjects and gained consent to search their room. This search yielded

property that had been removed from a vehicle stolen at the Bridgewater Commons

Mall earlier in the day.  As a result of this cooperative effort, the stolen

vehicle was recovered in the Borough of Somerville and returned to the owner

less than seven hours after being reported.  Together, Detective Hoey

and Officer Savare are responsible for the quick recovery of the stolen

vehicle and the arrest of four NJ Wanted Persons, resulting in an additional twenty

indictable charges being lodged against them.

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD- Officer Bowers

On February 21, 2007, Officer Bowers was on patrol when he was

advised of a AStop and Hold@ bulletin initiated by the Hillsborough Police

Department.  The driver of a vehicle registered in Easton Pennsylvania was a

wanted suspect in the abduction and sexual assault of a twenty-six year-old

female.  Officer Bowers altered his patrol techniques in order to position

himself along the travel route to Easton Pa.  Soon afterward, Officer Bowers

observed the suspect vehicle and initiated a motor vehicle stop on Route 22

East.  He detained the operator until Hillsborough Police Officers arrived.

Subsequent to their investigation, the driver was charged with Kidnaping (1st

degree) and Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault (2nd degree).

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE - Sgt. Nunery

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE - Officer Lamey

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE -  Officer Sommers

  EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE - Officer Hennessey

  LETTER OF COMMENDATION- Dispatcher Daniel Celaya

On July 30, 2007 at 0259 hours, a resident of 566 Downey Road dialed 911

reporting an Armed Home Invasion and Robbery at the residence.  The residents

had been bound and pistol-whipped. Dispatcher Celaya received the call

and began gathering information from the caller when the phone line was

disconnected.  Dispatcher Celaya attempted to return calls to the victim

however, they were unanswered.  He immediately dispatched Sergeant Nunery

and Officers Sommers, Lamey, Ochs and Hennessey to the scene. Officer Ochs

responded to Downey Road and observed two male subjects walking south which he

immediately detained and interviewed with the assistance of Officer Lamey.

Officers Sommers and Hennessey responded to 566 Downey Road where

Officer Sommers learned that one of the three suspects was armed with a handgun.

Officer Ochs and Officer Lamey placed the two suspects under arrest.  They were

unarmed.  Officer Ochs continued searching for the third suspect, locating him hiding in a

drainage pipe nearby.  Acting alone, Officer Ochs ordered him out at gunpoint.

The suspect refused to cooperate and was physically dragged from the drainage

pipe and taken into custody by Officer Ochs.  While searching nearby, Officer

Hennessey located an unoccupied White Lincoln TownCar utilized by the suspects.

Sergeant Nunery responded to the scene while monitoring and aiding the

actions of the responding Officers.  After learning that all three suspects had

been located and placed under arrest, Sergeant Nunery continued his search for

evidence.  While checking the dew-soaked lawns on Downey Road, Sergeant

Nunery followed depressions in the grass leading him to a black semiautomatic

handgun which he subsequently recovered. All of the officers are commended for

their quick response to the scene, courage and investigative skills which

resulted in the quick arrest of three dangerous criminals.

MEDAL OF MERIT- Officer Michael White

Between August 5 and December 18, 2006, a township family was victimized

by a series of residential burglaries and thefts.  On December 20, 2006, Officer

White completed working his midnight shift and then volunteered to conduct

surveillance on their residence.  At approximately 1026 hours, Officer White

observed a vehicle pull into the driveway.  A male subject exited the vehicle

and forcibly entered into the home.  Prior to the arrival of backup units, the

subject exited the residence and was apprehended by Officer White.  The burglar

subsequently admitted to the crimes.

        LETTER OF COMMENDATION- Detective Christopher Burke

        In September of 2003, Detective Christopher Burke began investigating a

robbery at Sherman and Sons Jewelers where more than $55,000 dollars in jewelry

was stolen.  Blood evidence from a broken display case was retrieved and

submitted to CODIS (Combined DNA Index System).  In May 2006, Detective Burke

was notified that the blood evidence was linked to a career criminal.

In July 2006, Sherman and Sons Jewelers was again victimized for a theft of Rolex

watches valued in excess of $5,000 dollars.  Detective Burke began investigating

this case also and developed a separate suspect.  During the course of

investigation, Detective Burke worked in conjunction with Special Agents of

the FBI=s Violent Crime/Criminal Enterprise Task Force in order to solve

these cases.  It was determined that both suspects were linked to a violent

gang known as AThe Second Street Mob@ which had victimized countless

stores across the entire Eastern Seaboard.  As a result of Detective

Christopher Burke=s tireless work and contribution, this joint investigation

lead to one Federal arrest and three State arrests.

        LETTER OF COMMENDATION- Officer James Edwards

        In July 2006, Officer James Edwards responded to a Township residence

after being dispatched for an elderly male that had fallen.  After providing

aid, Officer Edwards observed that both elderly residents were in poor

health and unable to care for themselves.  As a result, living conditions in

the home were deplorable.  Over a period of several months, Officer Edwards

continued to check on the residents as he assisted them in obtaining health

aids and residential cleaning services.  The actions and initiative of

Officer James Edwards resulted in the elderly couple receiving the proper

medical, psychiatric and domestic services they needed, possibly preventing

a situation that may have produced tragic results.

LETTER OF COMMENDATION- Dispatcher Jason Slaughter, Dispatcher Allison

On May 6, 2006 Dispatcher Jason Slaughter and Dispatcher Allison Cavallo were

working together in the Communications Bureau.  During the time period between

0021 hours and 0238 hours, the incoming call volume was extremely unusual, with

all calls for service being Priority One.  These calls included an Armed Robbery,

a Motor Vehicle Crash with double entrapment, and a second Motor Vehicle

Crash with multiple injuries, a Structure Fire, a Missing Person and a Stolen

Vehicle.  Together, Dispatcher Slaughter and Dispatcher Cavallo handled all

calls in an organized and efficient manner, properly dispatching all responding

personnel including Police, Fire, Rescue, K-9, and two Medevac Units.  Both

Dispatchers remained calm throughout, displaying their professionalism and dedication

On March 3, 2006, Officer T. Mele and Officer Stasiulaitis responded to Somerville Lumber to a report of CPR being performed on a fifty six year old male. There they assisted in the resuscitation efforts. As a result of their efforts, the man was subsequently revived and has recovered.

On May 12, 2006, Officer Slepokura, Officer Shimp, and Officer Hennessey responded to the Bridgewater Diner on a report of a man choking. Upon their arrival, the victim was unconscious and had no pulse. The officers began CPR and initiated defibrillator protocols. Officer Shimp attempted additional abdominal thrusts when it was determined the man’s airway was still obstructed. Paramedics arrived and removed the obstruction with a medical instrument. The victim was subsequently able to be resuscitated thanks in part to the quick actions and efforts of Officer Slepokura, Officer Shimp and Officer Hennessey.

In September of 2006, Officer Delaney identified an area along the Raritan River near Robert Street which had become a dumping ground for old appliances, furniture, and numerous other household items. This area was adjacent to County Parkland and a walking trail and presented a potential hazard for children and animals in the area. Officer Delaney organized dedicated groups of volunteers who met in November for a clean-up day. As a result of their efforts, tons of garbage was removed from the area. He is hereby awarded the Medal of Merit for his initiative and the implementation of this clean-up project.

On April 25, 2006, an individual wanted by Franklin Police Department for an attempted theft and eluding hid in the Martinsville area of Bridgewater for several hours. He was observed by Officer Ochs on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville after committing two burglaries and a theft at two residences there. During one of the burglaries, he confronted a seven year old resident and attempted to gain keys to her mother’s car. Officer Ochs, Officer Krok and Officer Guerra initiated a foot pursuit of the suspect into a wooded area. Officer Rice and Officer Zeichner joined the pursuit from another direction, and through the excellent coordinated efforts of all the officers involved, the subject was arrested, charged and incarcerated.

On April 19, 2006, a serious on car motor vehicle crash occurred on East Main Street near the Rt. 287 overpass. The engine compartment of the vehicle erupted into flames. A passerby unsuccessfully attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle. Officer Mazeura and Officer Ulmer of the Bound Brook Police Department responded to the scene and were able to pull the driver, who was seriously injured, from the flaming vehicle seconds before the passenger compartment became engulfed in flames. The quick actions and courage of Officer Ulmer and Officer Mazeura saved the driver from further injury or death.