State Association Honors Officers Who Display “Exceptional Heroism”
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) announced the finalists of the annual Valor Award, recognizing New Jersey police officers who demonstrate exceptional heroism and commitment to their profession, their law enforcement agency and to the public they serve.
The award, which was launched in 2000, includes 16 nominees for 2024. The winner will be announced at the 113th-Annual Training Conference & Police Security Expo, to be held June 23-26 in Atlantic City, attracting an estimated 7,500 attendees.
Nominees include:
- The Lakewood Police Department is nominating Patrolman Michael Sheehan and Patrolman Julian Guzman, who responded to a structural fire on May 4. An individual was trapped in a garage. Despite thick smoke, officers rescued the unconscious male.
- The Riverton Borough Police Department is nominating Patrolman Vincent Coniglione, who conducted a pedestrian stop for a minor violation on September 11. It led to the discovery that the motorist had provided fake ID. Through diligent investigation, Patrolman Coniglione identified one individual as a wanted fugitive from Boston, facing sexual assault charges and listed on Boston PD’s Top 10 Most Wanted.
- The Lower Township Police Department is nominating Corporal Jonathan Scheck, who, while off-duty in Florida, witnessed a severe car accident with vehicles on fire and people trapped inside. He extracted drivers and passengers from the burning vehicles, risking his life to save others.
- The East Orange Police Department is nominating Officer Jean-Carlos Montero and Officer Zawadi Smith. Officer Montero located a stolen vehicle on May 23. During the investigation, the suspect fled and fired shots. Officer Smith arrived on scene to help arrest the suspect and turn him over to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
- The East Orange Police Department is also nominating Officer Chris Milien, who responded to a call of a dog attack on August 27 and found multiple victims, including a two-year-old, being attacked. He immediately discharged his weapon to stop the attack and then transported the injured two-year-old to the hospital for treatment.
- Additionally, the East Orange Police Department is nominating their Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST), comprising Sgt. Joseph Williams, Officer Jean-Carlos Montero, Officer Rafael Concepcion and Officer Anthony Crutcher Jr. The team is being recognized for their proactive efforts in community safety. Between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, the team made 35 arrests and recovered 24 firearms.
- The Galloway Township Police Department is nominating Officer Erik Tarnow, who responded to a call involving a mental health crisis on April 7 when the subject attacked him with a knife. Despite being seriously injured, Officer Tarnow, along with another officer, disarmed and secured the suspect.
- The Elizabeth Police Department is nominating Chief Giacomo Sacca and Officer Luciano Porto. While off-duty on December 31, the pair learned of a shooting in Allentown, NJ, and located a suspect matching the description. They apprehended the suspect, who was later confirmed to be the wanted gunman, while only armed with their off-duty weapons.
- The Elizabeth Police Department is also nominating Officer Manuel Rodriguez, who pursued an armed suspect on November 6 after a shooting incident. His courageous actions initiated a coordinated response that led to the suspect’s apprehension without injury to anyone involved.
- The Manchester Township Police Department is nominating Patrolman Nicholas Greenwood and Patrolman Michael Anderson, who responded to a report of an armed individual in a wooded area on December 5. They advanced into the darkness, and, after negotiations failed, faced an escalated situation where the suspect raised his rifle. They acted decisively to neutralize the threat, saving their own lives and the lives of other officers.
- The Evesham Police Department is nominating Patrolman Kevin Long, who responded to a dwelling fire on June 16 and, upon arrival, learned that a resident with disabilities was inside. Patrolman Lon entered the burning home and, despite the flames, smoke and lack of visibility, rescued the man.
- The Freehold Township Police Department is nominating Officer John Tacopino, who responded to a three-car crash with two vehicles on fire and possible entrapment on December 9. He heroically extracted the driver from a burning vehicle and then participated in life-saving measures, providing the victim’s family with a chance for a final goodbye.
- The Newark Police Department is nominating Officer Pierre Alca-Chiara and Officer Kaydon Holmes, who pursued an armed suspect on foot after a homicide on December 17. Officer Alca-Chiara engaged the suspect, who fired his weapon, and apprehended him after returning fire, while Officer Holmes rendered aid to the victim, who was later pronounced dead.
- Police in Newark are also recognizing Officer Willy Figueroa, Officer Steven Ferreira and Officer Damion Reeves, who responded to a domestic violence call and confronted an armed suspect on December 15. They acted swiftly to neutralize the suspect, who was threatening a woman and Officer Reeves, preventing serious harm.
- The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is nominating Officer Jason Simeone, who, as part of the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, was involved in two separate incidents while attempting to serve warrants on murder suspects. In one incident on January 24, he returned fire to neutralize a suspect. In another on July 5, he helped secure the area after a suspect barricaded himself.
- The Perth Amboy Police Department is nominating Detective Davis Salazar and Detective Yanelba Reyes. On July 24, Detective Salazar was shot three times while serving an arrest warrant but returned fire, wounding the assailant and protecting his team. Detective Reyes provided immediate and critical life-saving aid to Detective Salazar, controlling bleeding and ensuring his stability until medical professionals arrived.
Learn more about the NJSACOP at www.NJSACOP.org
