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As part of National Police Week, South Brunswick Police Department held their annual awards ceremony and bestowed recognition on officers and citizens for their outstanding actions in 2022. The awards ranged from firefighters who saved a young boy and his father from a burning building, to officers who performed lifesaving measures, to a civilian who assisted officers in calming an emotionally disturbed man in a local business, to outstanding police responses and investigations.

Chief Raymond J. Hayducka said, “Todays awards were presented to citizens and officers for their exceptional service. Officers do outstanding work all the time. This day is where we stop to recognize the lives saved, crimes solved, and efforts that went above and beyond.”
 
The following awards were presented:
 

Citizens Appreciation Award - Wayne McGhee

On April 21st, 2022, officers were dispatched to a business on Melrich Road for an employee possibly under the influence of CDS and acting aggressively. Sergeant Urstadt and Officer Civil utilized de-escalation tactics to calm and control the scene along with an employee, Wayne McGhee. Mr. McGhee kept the employee in a smaller room, away from other employees, and continued a conversation with him to keep him calm and avoid injuries to any involved parties. The Officers’ and Mr. McGhee’s actions led to a safe resolution of the incident.
 
Life Saving Medal - Patrol Officer First Class Christopher Magee-Vanderveen, Officer Gerald Sarno, and Officer Kyle Klemas

On June 15, 2022, officers responded to a report of a male who had collapsed after a shower and was unresponsive. The officers quickly responded, worked as a team to administer CPR, and delivered five shocks via an AED. The patient regained a pulse and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation where he made a full recovery. The officers’ actions saved the patient’s life.
 
Life Saving Medal - Lieutenant John Penney, Sergeant William Merkler, and Patrol Officer First Class Ryan Bartunek

Chief’s Award - Kendall Park Volunteer Fire Company Chief Chris Perez and Jamesburg Ex-Fire Chief Jonathon Rampacek

On March 7th, 2022, officers responded to a structure fire involving one of the high occupancy apartment buildings in the South Ridge Woods Complex. Through quick response and teamwork, the Officers cleared the apartment building of all occupants and ensured the safety of all of the residents. A father and his two-year-old son were trapped inside of their apartment. The officers, KPVFC Chief Perez, and Ex-Fire Chief Rampacek, were able to get the father to drop the child out of the second story window. Sergeant Merkler caught the child, who was uninjured. The father then jumped out of the window into the arms of the other officers. The actions of all the officers, KPVFC Chief Perez, and Ex-Fire Chief Rampacek saved the lives of the father and child.
 
Medal of Valor - Lieutenant Nathan Labuda, Sergeant George Morgan, Patrol Officer First Class Gagan Chopra, Officer Jarrid Harpster, and Officer Daniel Martinez

On December 1st, 2022, officers were dispatched to a residence for a suicidal, intoxicated male, holding a knife to his throat. The officers were able to use de-escalation tactics to keep the subject calm while encouraging him to drop the knife. After a significant amount of time had passed, a Taser Deployment Plan was established and successfully executed, which allowed the officers to secure the knife and the subject. The officers’ actions lea to the successful disarming of the subject without lethal injury to himself or the officers.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Officer Daniel Martinez

On June 27th, 2022, Officer Daniel Martinez was dispatched to a group home on New Road for a report of a male resident cutting himself with a kitchen knife. Officer Daniel Martinez utilized de-escalation tactics to convince the resident to put down the knife. The resident ultimately complied and Officer Martinez was able to secure the knife to make the scene safe. Officer Martinez’s de-escalation tactics and ability to keep the resident calm prevented further injury and allowed the resident to get the necessary medical attention needed.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Sergeant William Merkler, Patrol Officer First Class Gagan Chopra, Officer Christine Harris, and Officer Justin Samuels

On November 19th, 2022, officers were dispatched to the area of Route 522 & Georges Road for a report of an unconscious driver in the lane of travel, with the vehicle still moving. As the vehicle continued eastbound with the driver unresponsive, numerous attempts were made to gain entry to the moving vehicle with some officers on foot. The officers then worked together to stop traffic and box the vehicle in, with no injuries or damage to township vehicles. Once stopped, forced entry was made to the vehicle. The driver was later charged with Driving While Under the Influence. The officers’ actions resolved the incident while ensuring the safety of the driver and other motorists.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Lieutenant Nathan Labuda, Officer Kent English, Officer William Michie, and Officer Bruce Redfield

On June 7th, 2022, officers responded to a report of a dispute involving an emotionally disturbed male.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they found the male outside the residence acting erratically, possibly under the influence of CDS, and causing injury to himself. The officers utilized de-escalation tactics to keep the subject calm until backup could arrive.  The officers were able to swiftly secure the male without further injury. Their actions safely resolved the incident. 
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Domenick DeLucia

On October 8th, 2022, Detective DeLucia responded to a business off Route 1 to investigate the stabbing of two victims. Through a thorough investigation, speaking with the victims, witnesses, and reviewing surveillance cameras, Detective DeLucia was able to identify two suspects. Detective DeLucia’s investigation resulted in the charging of both suspects with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Weapons Offenses, and Conspiracy to Commit Attempted Murder.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Domenick Delucia

On September 28th, 2021, Detective DeLucia assisted the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office and Plainsboro Police Department with an investigation of an Aggravated Sexual Assault that occurred on the Delaware-Raritan Canal footpath. Through an intensive, year-long, collaborative investigation with several other agencies, the actor was identified and charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault and additionally linked to two other Sexual Assaults in New Jersey.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Domenick DeLucia

On August 20th, 2022, Detective DeLucia was called in to investigate the Armed Robbery of a gas station on Route 1. Detective DeLucia’s investigation showed that the actors were involved in several other Armed Robberies throughout the State. Through a collaborative investigation with various other agencies, Detective DeLucia was able to link two individuals to the crime and charge them with Robbery, Weapons Offenses, and Receiving Stolen Property.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Domenick DeLucia

On May 31st, 2022, Detective DeLucia responded to a Robbery of a convenience store that that resulted in an employee being assaulted. After a thorough investigation, Detective DeLucia positively identified, charged, and arrested three of the actors for Robbery, Theft, Rioting, Conspiracy, Simple Assault, and Receiving Stolen Property.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Jamal Benbow

On February 14th, 2022, Detective Benbow began a follow up investigation into a report of Stalking and Harassment. Detective Benbow’s thorough investigation uncovered that the actor stalked and harassed the victim over the course of several years and followed the victim across the country. Detective Benbow interviewed the actor and obtained a confession, which lead to the actor’s arrest for Stalking, Harassment and Cyber Harassment.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Sergeant Timothy Hoover

On November 5th, 2022, Detective Sergeant Hoover was called in to investigate a Sexual Assault and Strangulation case. Through Detective Sergeant Hoover’s investigation, he was able to determine the exact location of the offense and place the actor at the scene of the crime. A search warrant was obtained and executed for the actor’s vehicle, which is where the Assault and Strangulation occurred. The actor was charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault – Strangulation, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, and Criminal Restraint.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Sergeant Timothy Hoover

While serving as a Detective in 2021, Detective Sergeant Hoover became involved in a joint investigation with the DEA into the distribution of fentanyl pills in town. The investigation led to the arrest of several actors and the seizure of a large quantity of fentanyl pills. In continuance of the investigation, in February 2023, the DEA executed search warrants throughout several boroughs of New York City. The search warrants yielded 6 arrests, over 25 kilos of fentanyl and methamphetamine, 3 guns, and $19,000 in cash. Detective Sergeant Hoover’s diligence laid the groundwork for the success of the 2-years-long investigation.
 
Exceptional Service Award - Detective Brian Sites

Detective Sites investigated an incident where the actor hacked a funeral service on “Zoom” and made threats to bomb the funeral home. Through Detective Sites’ investigation he was able to identify the juvenile actor. Detective Sites discovered that the actor was involved in a similar incident in another jurisdiction, which the FBI was investigating. The actor was ultimately arrested and charged with Cyber Harassment, Terroristic Threats, and Circulating a False Report of Impending Disaster.
 
Civilian Staff Recognition Award - Alessandra Villano

In 2022, South Brunswick Police Department was chosen as one of a handful of police departments in the State to undertake a new way of tracking crime. The FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) became the national standard for law enforcement crime data reporting. Records Supervisor Sandra Villano was instrumental in its implementation. Her work was key to making the new national program integrate with our CAD program, Enforsys. Her efforts helped numerous police agencies in New Jersey implement the national standard.
 
Letter of Commendation - Sergeant Michael Urstadt and Officer Andre Civil

On April 21st, 2022, officers were dispatched to a business on Melrich Road for an employee possibly under the influence of CDS and acting aggressively. Sergeant Urstadt and Officer Civil utilized de-escalation tactics to calm and control the scene along with an employee, Wayne McGhee. Mr. McGhee kept the employee in a smaller room, away from other employees, and continued a conversation with him to keep him calm and avoid injuries to any involved parties. The officers’ and Mr. McGhee’s actions led to a safe resolution of the incident.
 
Letter of Commendation - Sergeant First Class Richard Schwarz, Patrol Officer First Class Bafti Salihi, Officer Tyler Harpster, and Officer Brian Kim

On November 7th, 2022, officers were dispatched to a business on Rt. 130 for an Attempted Carjacking involving several juvenile actors that fled the area. The officers’ quick response and teamwork led to the arrest of six juveniles for their involvement in the Attempted Carjacking.
 
Letter of Commendation - Detective Sergeant Richard Hutchison and Detective Bryan Garrison

On October 15th, 2022, detectives were advised that a fellow detective was being victimized by the subject of an investigation. Through a thorough follow up, Detective Sergeant Hutchison and Detective Garrison were able to obtain a taped statement from the actor who admitted to attempting to obtain the detective’s personal information. They were able to locate the actor and place him under arrest for Harassment, Possession of CDS, Weapons Offenses, and for being a Fugitive From Justice.
 
Letter of Commendation - Detective Bryan Sites

On June 8th, 2022, a Theft of landscaping equipment was reported to this agency. Detective Sites began his follow up investigation and was able to locate the stolen landscaping equipment at a pawn shop in Ewing, NJ. Through his investigation, Detective Sites was able to identify the actor and link him to several other Thefts in town and surrounding jurisdictions. Detective Sites cleared several cases and returned the stolen property to its owners.
 
Letter of Commendation - Detective Bryan Sites

On September 9th, 2022, a Fraud report was filed with this agency where the actor spent over $9,000.00 using the victim’s information. Through video surveillance, facial recognition, and follow up with other agencies, Detective Sites was able to identify and charge the actor with 3rd Degree Forgery, Theft, Fraud, and Identity Theft.
 

200 Club of Middlesex County Meritorious Service Award:

The 200 Club of Middlesex County also recognized Detective Domenick DeLucia for his actions during the investigation into the Aggravated Sexual Assault which occurred on the D and R Canal towpath. Detective DeLucia’s actions were recognized by the 200 Club of Middlesex County with the presenting of their Meritorious Service Award at a ceremony held on May 23^rd at the Carteret Performing Arts Center.