Alert
Chief Raymond Hayducka today announced the 2021 Police Awards recipients. “Every year we examine the excellence of our officers and award them for outstanding actions they perform. This year there were numerous officers who went above and beyond to save lives and capture suspects.” Some of the 2021 awards recognized officers for saving four lives, defusing three armed confrontations, and capturing five attempted murder suspect. These awards were submitted to a committee of officers for a determination of their merits. A final report was submitted to the Chief of Police who authorized the awards. Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “I see the daily work of our officers, but in giving out this recognition, everyone can see the bravery, perseverance, and dedication. The men and women of our department are some of the best in the State and their actions reflect that.”
Life-Saving Medal -Officer Marcus Leysath, Officer Dale Hubner, and Officer Tyler Harpster
Exceptional Service Award -Patrolman First Class (PFC) George Vit
Exceptional Service -Officer Brian Luck
Exceptional Service Award -Detective Rick DeLucia
Exceptional Service Award -Sergeant First Class (SFC) Richard Hutchison
Exceptional Service Award -Lieutenant Roger Tuohy, Sergeant Anthony Pisano, PFC Michael Leung, Officer Ryan Bartunek, Detective Rick DeLucia, and Officer Kent English
Exceptional Service Award -PFC Michael Leung, Officer Ryan Bartunek, and Officer Jason Stonkus
Exceptional Service Award -Detective Timothy Hoover
Letter of Commendation
Det. Bryan Sites
On January 8, 2020, Det. Sites was notified that a person of interest he was tracking had pawned several pieces of jewelry in Central New Jersey. Det. Sites observed a class ring with the victim’s name, identified the victim, and contacted the Bridgewater Police Department, which did not have any reports of burglary with that victim. The victim had moved to Texas, hired a moving company, and did not know that her jewelry was stolen. Det. Sites was able to recover all of the stolen jewelry for the victim.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. Bryan Garrison
On October 4, 2020 Ptl. Garrison, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process a burglary scene at a residence. Ptl. Garrison’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of DNA evidence. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the DNA evidence to a suspect who was later arrested.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. James Kraivec
On August 31, 2020, Ptl. Kraivec responded to a burglary at a construction site with two suspects. A perimeter was established and Ptl. Kraivec searched through a dense and heavily wooded area with a NJSP K9 unit. Ptl. Kraivec and the K9 unit successfully located and took the suspect into custody without further incident. As a result, a second suspect was developed and later charged.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. Sean Roberts
On December 5, 2015, Ptl. Sean Roberts, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process a burglary scene at a residence. Ptl. Roberts’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of latent fingerprints. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the fingerprints to a suspect in December 2019. The suspect was later arrested.
Letter of Commendation
Pfc. George Vit
On November 1, 2020 family members had reported to police in Trenton, NJ that a man with a gun had chased a missing woman the night before, and they believed she was being held against her will. An investigation into her whereabouts involving multiple agencies began. Pfc. Vit uncovered the break in the case, after contacting the car dealership that sold the missing person her vehicle months earlier, learning that they could track her car. He was able to locate the vehicle in Mercer County uninjured. His work directly led to finding the missing woman.
Letter of Commendation
Det. Tim Hoover
Det. Hoover led an investigation involving nearly 1,000 prank phone calls to township restaurants over a 4-month period. Det. Hoover identified the actor who placed numerous food orders and never picked them up. Det. Hoover sent out 30 subpoenas and determined that the actor utilized 75 different VOIP phone numbers to make these calls. Det. Hoover’s efforts led to the arrest of the actor and brought peace to the restaurant owners.
Letter of Commendation
Det. Rick DeLucia
On May 9, 2020 this agency was notified that a suspect had defrauded an elderly victim in town. The suspect was later arrested on the NJ Turnpike attempting to enter back into New York City. A subsequent investigation by Det. DeLucia led to the recovery of the victims $18,000 in cash, as well as an additional $22,000 in cash from other victims throughout the state. A search warrant on the actor’s vehicle led to the recovery of evidence that aided several other jurisdictions throughout the state in charging the actor for the same crime.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. Gagan Chopra and Ptl. Dale Hubner
On October 4, 2020, Officers were dispatched to a reported stabbing on Bard Drive North. Officers Chopra and Hubner who also serve as members of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program were detailed to process the victim’s vehicle for evidence. Several latent prints were developed and sent to the New Jersey State Police Lab to be analyzed. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the fingerprints confirming two of the suspects' identities. The suspects were later arrested for their involvement.
Letter of Commendation
Det. Monica Posteraro, Det. Bryan Sites, Det. Matthew Skolsky, and Ptl. Jamal Benbow
On August 19, 2020, Officers responded to a burglary of a vacant residence that had just occurred. During a canvas for witnesses, three suspects were identified and subsequently seen in the Northumberland complex. The officers were able to track their location and took all three suspects into custody. All of the involved officers worked exceptionally well as a team.
Physical Fitness Award
For obtaining the highest score on the annual physical fitness test within the age group of 20-29 years of age
is awarded to: Patrolman Craig Cleffi
For obtaining the highest score on the annual physical fitness test within the age group of 30-39 years of age
is awarded to: Patrolman George Morgan
For obtaining the highest score on the annual physical fitness test within the age group of 40-49 years of age
is awarded to: Lieutenant Robert Jairdullo
Education Award
For earning a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University:
Lieutenant Tara Jairdullo
Patrolman Jarrid Harpster
Julie Trammell
Several other officers were recognized for their firearms proficiency and attendance. “It is the great work that the men and women of the South Brunswick Police do daily that makes a difference. These awards highlight the best of who we are,” said Chief Hayducka.
2021 Police Awards
2021 Police Awards
Chief Raymond Hayducka today announced the 2021 Police Awards recipients. “Every year we examine the excellence of our officers and award them for outstanding actions they perform. This year there were numerous officers who went above and beyond to save lives and capture suspects.” Some of the 2021 awards recognized officers for saving four lives, defusing three armed confrontations, and capturing five attempted murder suspect. These awards were submitted to a committee of officers for a determination of their merits. A final report was submitted to the Chief of Police who authorized the awards. Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “I see the daily work of our officers, but in giving out this recognition, everyone can see the bravery, perseverance, and dedication. The men and women of our department are some of the best in the State and their actions reflect that.”
Life-Saving Medal -Officer Marcus Leysath, Officer Dale Hubner, and Officer Tyler Harpster
- On June 14, 2020, these officers responded to a report of a male who had collapsed in the front yard of his home and was unresponsive. The three officers quickly responded and began CPR. The officers applied an automated external defibrillator (AED) which shocked the man. The man regained a pulse and made a full recovery. Their rapid response and intervention saved his life.
Exceptional Service Award -Patrolman First Class (PFC) George Vit
- On May 7, 2020, PFC Vit took decisive actions to end a dangerous situation where a man suffering a manic episode was endangering other motorists. Several motorists called 911 to report a vehicle was swerving back and forth all over Route 1 southbound during morning rush hour. Witnesses indicated the vehicle almost struck several other vehicles. The suspect refused to stop his vehicle when police arrived on the scene. PFC Vit was forced to utilize his patrol vehicle to prevent the suspect from striking any civilian vehicles. The suspect struck PFC Vit’s vehicle and both cars came to a stop without injury. The suspect was arrested and transported to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation. PFC Vit’s actions prevented serious injury to the public.
Exceptional Service -Officer Brian Luck
- On October 4, 2020, officers were dispatched to a stabbing at White Oak Court and Bard Drive North. Officer Luck was first to arrive and locate two victims with stab wounds, one to the chest and one to the arm. Officer Luck immediately rendered first aid to the victim who had been stabbed in the chest. He quickly applied a seal to the chest wound preventing the victim’s lung from collapsing. Officer Luck also developed information that identified one of the suspects in the attack.
Exceptional Service Award -Detective Rick DeLucia
- On October 4, 2020, Det. DeLucia investigated an attempted murder stabbing incident on Bard Drive. The suspects had chased the victims in their vehicle, rammed the victim’s vehicle, and stabbed the victim. Detective DeLucia was able to piece together ring doorbell video and witness statements to identify the three actors. Detective DeLucia’s persistence and tenacity led to the execution of 13 search warrants and the arrest of all three suspects. All three men and charged them with weapons possession, aggravated assault, and attempted murder.
Exceptional Service Award -Sergeant First Class (SFC) Richard Hutchison
- On December 31, 2020, SFC Hutchison responded to a report of an emotionally disturbed man who was suffering from a mental crisis. The individual had swung scissors at individuals and was barricaded in a room. SFC Hutchison’s initial efforts to deescalate were unsuccessful. Officers made entry and SFC Hutchison was able to disarm the male without injury. SFC Hutchison’s decisive actions safely resolved the incident.
Exceptional Service Award -Lieutenant Roger Tuohy, Sergeant Anthony Pisano, PFC Michael Leung, Officer Ryan Bartunek, Detective Rick DeLucia, and Officer Kent English
- On October 15, 2020, officers were called to an area motel where a firearm was shown by a suspect staying at the motel during a dispute. Officers evacuated nearby motel rooms and set up a perimeter. Lieutenant Tuohy assembled a team of officers - Sgt. Pisano, PFC Leung, Officer Bartunek, Detective DeLucia, and Officer English attempted to make contact with the suspect. Officers approached the room and began negotiating with the highly agitated individual. At one point, the suspect stood in the doorway and officers quickly grabbed him and pulled him out of the room. Officers secured him and recovered a loaded firearm and drugs in the room. The decisive action and professionalism of all the officers safely resolved a dangerous situation.
Exceptional Service Award -PFC Michael Leung, Officer Ryan Bartunek, and Officer Jason Stonkus
- On November 10, 2020, officers responded to a residence to assist counselors with a mental health screening. Counselors told officers the male initially agreed to go to the hospital for a mental health evaluation but then exited the ambulance and re-entered his residence. Officers attempted to calm the male and de-escalate the situation, but the male ran into the kitchen and grabbed a knife. The officers raced into the kitchen and were able to wrestle the knife away. The officers’ quick and decisive action prevented the male from harming himself or others.
Exceptional Service Award -Detective Timothy Hoover
- On July 11, 2020 Detective Timothy Hoover responded to a shooting in an apartment complex where the victim was shot multiple times. Detective Hoover worked tirelessly, interviewing over a dozen potential witnesses to identify the suspects. Detective Hoover worked with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the United States Marshal’s Service to track down one suspect who had fled to Delaware. Detective Hoover obtained and executed 7 search warrants which led to the suspect being charged with weapons possession, aggravated assault, and attempted murder charges
Letter of Commendation
Det. Bryan Sites
On January 8, 2020, Det. Sites was notified that a person of interest he was tracking had pawned several pieces of jewelry in Central New Jersey. Det. Sites observed a class ring with the victim’s name, identified the victim, and contacted the Bridgewater Police Department, which did not have any reports of burglary with that victim. The victim had moved to Texas, hired a moving company, and did not know that her jewelry was stolen. Det. Sites was able to recover all of the stolen jewelry for the victim.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. Bryan Garrison
On October 4, 2020 Ptl. Garrison, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process a burglary scene at a residence. Ptl. Garrison’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of DNA evidence. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the DNA evidence to a suspect who was later arrested.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. James Kraivec
On August 31, 2020, Ptl. Kraivec responded to a burglary at a construction site with two suspects. A perimeter was established and Ptl. Kraivec searched through a dense and heavily wooded area with a NJSP K9 unit. Ptl. Kraivec and the K9 unit successfully located and took the suspect into custody without further incident. As a result, a second suspect was developed and later charged.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. Sean Roberts
On December 5, 2015, Ptl. Sean Roberts, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process a burglary scene at a residence. Ptl. Roberts’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of latent fingerprints. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the fingerprints to a suspect in December 2019. The suspect was later arrested.
Letter of Commendation
Pfc. George Vit
On November 1, 2020 family members had reported to police in Trenton, NJ that a man with a gun had chased a missing woman the night before, and they believed she was being held against her will. An investigation into her whereabouts involving multiple agencies began. Pfc. Vit uncovered the break in the case, after contacting the car dealership that sold the missing person her vehicle months earlier, learning that they could track her car. He was able to locate the vehicle in Mercer County uninjured. His work directly led to finding the missing woman.
Letter of Commendation
Det. Tim Hoover
Det. Hoover led an investigation involving nearly 1,000 prank phone calls to township restaurants over a 4-month period. Det. Hoover identified the actor who placed numerous food orders and never picked them up. Det. Hoover sent out 30 subpoenas and determined that the actor utilized 75 different VOIP phone numbers to make these calls. Det. Hoover’s efforts led to the arrest of the actor and brought peace to the restaurant owners.
Letter of Commendation
Det. Rick DeLucia
On May 9, 2020 this agency was notified that a suspect had defrauded an elderly victim in town. The suspect was later arrested on the NJ Turnpike attempting to enter back into New York City. A subsequent investigation by Det. DeLucia led to the recovery of the victims $18,000 in cash, as well as an additional $22,000 in cash from other victims throughout the state. A search warrant on the actor’s vehicle led to the recovery of evidence that aided several other jurisdictions throughout the state in charging the actor for the same crime.
Letter of Commendation
Ptl. Gagan Chopra and Ptl. Dale Hubner
On October 4, 2020, Officers were dispatched to a reported stabbing on Bard Drive North. Officers Chopra and Hubner who also serve as members of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program were detailed to process the victim’s vehicle for evidence. Several latent prints were developed and sent to the New Jersey State Police Lab to be analyzed. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the fingerprints confirming two of the suspects' identities. The suspects were later arrested for their involvement.
Letter of Commendation
Det. Monica Posteraro, Det. Bryan Sites, Det. Matthew Skolsky, and Ptl. Jamal Benbow
On August 19, 2020, Officers responded to a burglary of a vacant residence that had just occurred. During a canvas for witnesses, three suspects were identified and subsequently seen in the Northumberland complex. The officers were able to track their location and took all three suspects into custody. All of the involved officers worked exceptionally well as a team.
Physical Fitness Award
For obtaining the highest score on the annual physical fitness test within the age group of 20-29 years of age
is awarded to: Patrolman Craig Cleffi
For obtaining the highest score on the annual physical fitness test within the age group of 30-39 years of age
is awarded to: Patrolman George Morgan
For obtaining the highest score on the annual physical fitness test within the age group of 40-49 years of age
is awarded to: Lieutenant Robert Jairdullo
Education Award
For earning a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University:
Lieutenant Tara Jairdullo
Patrolman Jarrid Harpster
Julie Trammell
Several other officers were recognized for their firearms proficiency and attendance. “It is the great work that the men and women of the South Brunswick Police do daily that makes a difference. These awards highlight the best of who we are,” said Chief Hayducka.
Instructions:
Follow guidelines
Address/Location
South Brunswick Twp Police Department
540 Ridge Rd
South Brunswick Township, NJ 08852
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 732-329-4646
Alert Details
- Severity:
- Extreme - Extraordinary threat to life or property
- Urgency:
- Immediate - Responsive action SHOULD be taken immediately
- Certainty:
- Observed - Determined to have occurred or to be ongoing
- Category:
- Other events
- Event:
- Routine Monthly Test