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The South Brunswick Police Department recently held its annual award ceremony. The in-person ceremony was the first in three years due to the pandemic and recognized officers’ actions from the past year as well as citizen actions from the past three years. “These awards recognize some of the best in our department and community,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka. The awards highlight lifesaving efforts, great investigative work, and citizens who stepped up to make a difference. In order to receive an award, a case must be submitted to a committee of officers who review all the reports, videos, and materials connected to the incident. The committee then submits a report to the Chief who gives final approval. “The awards let our officers know the excellence that we see in them every day. It also recognizes our community members who step up in times of crises to help out,” said Chief Hayducka.
 
Exceptional Service Award
Officer Tom Spilatore and Officer Raymond McCarthy
On March 3, 2021, Officers responded to a dispute at a hotel. Officer McCarthy arrived at the hotel and observed an agitated man enter an elevator and refuse instructions to exit the elevator. Hotel employees advised the dispute was on the 2^nd floor and that man who entered the elevator was headed in that direction. Officer McCarthy joined by Officer Spilatore arrived on the second floor and observed the man from the elevator now in the hallway armed with a knife trying to get into a room. The officers gave orders to drop the knife and used de-escalation techniques. After several minutes the man dropped the knife and complied with officer's instructions. Their efforts to defuse a volatile situation using time, distance and an empathetic tone resolved a dangerous situation. 
 
Exceptional Service Award
Detective Rick DeLucia
On May 28, 2021, Detective DeLucia was off duty when he observed a vehicle that he believed matched an alert put out by North Brunswick Police. The vehicle was wanted for a shooting in North Brunswick. Detective DeLucia copied the vehicle information and notified North Brunswick Police. That information ultimately led to the identification of the shooter and the seizure of several weapons. Detective DeLucia demonstrated excellent investigative skills and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
 
 
Life-Saving Medal
Lieutenant Roger Tuohy, Officer Ryan Bartunek, and PST Christine McCarthy
On July 10, 2021, Officers responded to a report of a male who had fallen into a pool, was pulled out by a family member and was unresponsive. CPR instructions were delivered to the family member by PST McCarthy during the response. The officer’s quick response and teamwork allowed them to properly administer CPR and life-saving measures. The individual was transported to the hospital and made a full recovery. Their actions saved his life.
 
Life-Saving Medal
Officer Brooke LaBell
On December 15, 2021, Officer LaBell responded to a report of a child that choked on a ball, became unresponsive, and was not breathing. Upon arrival, Officer LaBell observed the mother conducting CPR on the child, sitting up inside a vehicle. Officer LaBell then took the child from the mother, placed the child on a flat surface, and continued life-saving measures. The child regained a pulse, but had labored breathing and was transported to the hospital. The child later made a full recovery. Officer LaBell’s quick actions saved the child’s life.
 
Citizens Appreciation Award
Francis White & Francis White Jr.
On December 10, 2019, Mr. Francis White and Francis White Jr. observed a suicidal male who was actively stabbing himself. Both men wrestled the knife away from the suicidal male. Mr. White provided care and directed officers to his location. The efforts of both men supported the officers, prevented further serious injury, and assisted in saving the man’s life.
 
Citizens Appreciation Award
Fazil Syed
On February 19, 2020, Mr. Fazil Syed observed a Nixle during the late evening hours alerting his neighborhood about a missing 10-year-old nonverbal autistic child. Mr. Syed immediately left his home and began to search his neighborhood. Mr. Syed quickly located the child hiding under a tree. He immediately alerted the police. The child had been outside in the cold for several hours. Mr. Syed’s selfless act resulted in the child being safely reunited with his family.
 
Citizens Appreciation Award
Peter P. Mohammed
On September 30, 2020, Mr. Mohammed put himself in harm’s way to protect the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian that occurred on Route 1 north.  Mr. Mohammed utilized his vehicle to block both lanes of travel on Route 1 north to prevent additional vehicles from striking the pedestrian.
 
Citizens Appreciation Award
Kingston Firefighters Edward A. Chabak and Ryan E. Verney
On November 26, 2021, Firefighters Chabak and Verney were on duty stopped at the ShopRite on Route 1. A woman ran out of the store yelling that someone had just stolen her purse inside the store and was running away. The two firefighters quickly acted to catch the suspect and notified police dispatch. Firefighter Chabak and Verney detained the man until police officers arrived. The man was later determined to have special needs and listed as a missing endangered person. Firefighters Chabak and Verney’s actions led to the recovery of the stolen purse and finding the missing person.
 
Chief’s Safety Award
Mildred Torres - Domestic Violence Response Team
Mildred Torres is awarded the Chief’s Safety Award for assisting victims of domestic violence in South Brunswick for over ten years. The Domestic Violence Response Team has proven to be an effective tool to support victims in breaking the cycle of domestic violence. Mildred Torres’s service and leadership have been vital to the success of the Domestic Violence Response Team’s partnership with the South Brunswick Police Department.
 
Letter of Commendation
Detective Timothy Hoover
In January of 2021, Detective Hoover coordinated with several law enforcement agencies on a multi-State motor vehicle burglar team called “Felony Lane Gang”. The suspects would use stolen credit cards and checks taken from car burglaries. Detective Hoover interviewed obtained a confession from the actor and linked the crew to locations throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
 
Letter of Commendation
Officer Bruce Redfield and Officer Tyler Harpster
At 12:45 am on March 28, 2021, Officer Redfield and Officer Harpster were dispatched to a suicidal man in a vehicle in a parking lot on Route 1. Dispatch advised the officers that the man was actively cutting himself inside of his vehicle. The officers located the vehicle and spoke with the male who had self-inflicted injuries. They were able to remove the knife and rendered first aid. The male injuries resulted in heavy blood loss. The male was transported to the hospital without incident. Their quick response and actions averted a tragedy.
 
Letter of Commendation
Officer Bruce Redfield, Officer Brian Kim, and Officer Tyler Harpster
On May 5, 2021, Officer Bruce Redfield, Officer Brian Kim, and Officer Tyler Harpster responded to the Holiday Inn parking lot to search for a missing suicidal male. Hamilton Police called to report that a male was on the phone threatening to kill himself and/or commit suicide by cop. The officers located the male in his vehicle, made a tactical approach, and removed the subject from with the vehicle. A knife was recovered from the passenger seat. The quick actions and teamwork used by these officers helped a dangerous and volatile situation come to a peaceful and successful conclusion.
 
Letter of Commendation
Detective Brady Shelcusky
On August 29, 2021, Detective Shelcusky investigated an armed carjacking during which a shot was fired in the La Mirage Hotel parking lot. Detective Shelcusky conducted a detailed investigation, obtained evidence, and quickly identified the suspect. Detective Shelcusky learned the suspect was wanted by the NYPD in connection to a homicide. Detective Shelcusky worked with the United States Marshalls Fugitive Task Force to track the suspect down. The suspect was charged with carjacking and numerous weapons offenses. Detective Schelcusky’s thoroughness and excellent investigation took a violent criminal off the streets.
 
Letter of Commendation
Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Steve Kanca, Jackie Siemon, Christine McCarthy, Bruce Feldman, and Julie Trammell
On September 1, 2021, the township suffered historic widespread flash flooding as a result of Hurricane Ida. The flash flooding stranded dozens of motorists closed down major highways and required numerous water rescues. There were over 400 calls handled by dispatchers in 5 hours during the storm. PST. Kanca, PST Siemon, PST. McCarthy, PST. Feldman and PST. Trammel effectively handled the heavy call volumes for roadway hazards, flooding, motor vehicle crashes/assists, and water rescues. Their ability to coordinate responses and work as a team exemplified the best of our department. 
 
Letter of Commendation
Detective Rick DeLucia
In October of 2020, Detective DeLucia investigated several motor vehicle burglaries. After several months of investigating he was able to identify two suspects. Detective Delucia was able to develop evidence to link the suspects to 35 separate motor vehicle burglaries in our town. The investigation linked the suspects to an additional 1,000 motor vehicle burglaries throughout NJ and PA. The networking with other law enforcement and investigative perseverance with these cases by Detective DeLucia led to them being solved. 
 
Letter of Commendation
Sergeant Richard Hutchison
On July 22, 2021, while serving in patrol, Sergeant Hutchison supervised a dispute call that led to the uncovering of a shoplifting operation. Sergeant Hutchison provided instruction and direction that resulted in the arrest of the actor. The case resulted in the recovery of numerous stolen items.
 
Letter of Commendation
Sergeant George Vit 
Throughout 2021, Sergeant Vit showed exemplary effort by implementing the Department’s Body Warn Camera program. This included the creation and development of the policy, implementing solutions, applying for grant funding, training users, and continuous maintenance of the system and equipment. 
 
Exceptional Service Award
Lieutenant Eric Buraszeski
Lieutenant Buraszeski instructed numerous officers from multiple agencies in ABLE Training throughout Middlesex County. The training focused on giving officers tools to successfully intervene to prevent harm and to create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention. Lieutenant Buraszeski’s instruction had a positive impact on numerous officers. 
 
Exceptional Service Award
Officer Jarrid Harpster
Officer Harpster instructed numerous officers from multiple agencies in ICAT Training throughout Middlesex County. The training focused on providing officers with the tools, skills, and options they need to successfully and safely defuse a vast range of critical incidents. Officer Harpster’s instruction had a positive impact on numerous officers.
 
Education Award
For earning a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University:
-         Lieutenant John Penney
-         Officer Brian Luck
-         Officer Daniel Martinez
For earning a Master’s Degree from Thomas Edison State University:
-         PST Renee Messina
 
 
 

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