Full Notification

South Brunswick Police Department held its annual awards ceremony to recognize the outstanding actions of officers from the over 90,200 calls answered last year. The officers’ actions honored during the ceremony represented some of the outstanding work done last year. The awards represented 5 lives who were saved, the rescue of a carjacking victim, and the resolution of an armed standoff. “These were tremendous efforts. If not for the actions of these officers, lives may have been lost,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka.
 
Exceptional Service Award
Officer Bruce Redfield, Officer Jake Pietrafesa, Officer Martin Halmi 
On November 15, 2024, a third-party call reported that a mother had been carjacked and her position was being tracked via GPS. Officers Redfield and Pietrafesa quickly located the vehicle and executed a high-risk motor vehicle stop. Pfc. Halmi successfully secured the suspect. Due to the swift and coordinated efforts of these officers, the situation was resolved effectively and safely with no injuries.
 
Exceptional Service Award
Lieutenant Dennis Yuhasz, Sergeant Michael Leung, Sergeant Rick Delucia, Officer Jason Stonkus, Officer Robert Marrese, Officer Austin Haren 
On February 27, 2024 officers responded to a call involving a male armed with a gun and firing rounds inside a single-family residence. Upon receiving the initial report, supervisors swiftly took command, utilizing their training, experience, and equipment to form a contact team for a forced entry. A tactical door breach was executed effectively, leading the officers to locate a male with a handgun quickly. Through outstanding communication, tactics, teamwork, and composure, the officers were able to secure the occupant without the use of force or injury.
 
Exceptional Service Award
Officer Aaron Parks 
On October 16, 2024, Officer Aaron Parks responded to a motor vehicle crash, which resulted in a significant gas leak. He rescued the injured driver from the vehicle and moved her to safety, all while facing the danger of a potential explosion.
 
Exceptional Service Award
Officer Garret Byrne and Officer Justin Samuels 
On May 6, 2024, Officer Byrne and Officer Samuels responded to a well-being check for an elderly male who had missed a scheduled appointment to be picked up by township transportation. Upon arrival, Officer Byrne conducted a quick investigation, contacted the victim's daughter, and obtained the garage code to the residence. Officer Samuels entered the home and found the elderly man lying face down, suffering from severe injuries and struggling to breathe. Medical care was immediately provided to the victim by the officers until first aid and medics arrived on the scene.
 
Life Saving Award
Officer Kyle Klemas and Officer Tyler Harpster 
On October 9, 2024, Officers Klemas and Harpster responded to a report of male who was unconscious and not breathing. Upon their arrival at the scene, both officers acted quickly and decisively. Demonstrating exemplary teamwork and lifesaving skills, they administered CPR and delivered five shocks using an AED, ultimately restoring the man’s pulse. Thanks to their immediate life-saving actions, the individual was transported to the hospital, where he made a full recovery and was discharged just three days later.
 
Life Saving Award
Officer Dan Rodriguez, Officer Nicole Clark, Officer Brian Kim, Sergeant McCarthy 
On February 9, 2024 Officer Rodriguez responded to a distress call concerning a 61-year-old female who was unresponsive and not breathing. Upon arrival, he swiftly pulled her from the bathtub, positioned her on level ground, and initiated life-saving efforts. Alongside Officers Clark and Kim, Officer Rodriguez performed multiple rounds of CPR and successfully administered four shocks using an AED, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and coordination as they rotated their duties. Sergeant McCarthy provided vital supervision and critical direction, ensuring the officers executed their efforts effectively.
 
Life Saving Award
Officer Garrett Byrne and Officer Robert Halmi 
On August 13, 2024 Officer Byrne and Officer R. Halmi responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle. Officer Byrne, who was first on the scene, discovered the victim who had stopped breathing. He immediately started performing CPR, and when Officer Halmi arrived, they worked together to deliver life-saving measures. The First Aid Squad and Medics took over to provide additional care, and the victim survived. Their actions saved his life.
 
Community Service Award
(Retired) Captain Gene Rickle, Officer James Kraivec and Officer Tyler Harpster
For their community outreach and engagement efforts.
 
 
Life Saving Award
Pfc Brian Sites, Officer Dale Hubner, Officer Robert Halmi 
Officers Hubner, R. Halmi, and PFC B. Sites are commended for their outstanding response to a cardiac emergency on Route 535 and Middlesex Center Boulevard on May 28, 2024. Upon arrival, the officers performed CPR on the victim. Working together, they applied the AED, and three shocks were administered while maintaining CPR efforts. Their unified efforts were instrumental in stabilizing the victim, who was transported to the hospital and survived.
 
Citizen Award
Giuseppe’s Pizzeria
In recognition of their dedication to supporting the South Brunswick Police Department, Giuseppe's Pizzeria has consistently shown exemplary civic involvement. Through their ongoing support of various events, along with their generous sponsorship of the "Pizza with Police" community gathering, they embody a strong commitment to fostering deeper connections within our community.
 
Citizen Award
Michaela Durbin – ARRIVE Program Counselor
In recognition of her service over the past year as a mental health screener with Rutgers Behavioral Health and the recently implemented Arrive Together program, Michaela has responded to numerous mental health emergency calls, providing vital support and demonstrating the essential role of integrating mental health expertise with law enforcement. Her unwavering commitment to de-escalation and compassionate care has not only effectively resolved incidents but also fostered trust within the South Brunswick community.
 
Letter of Commendation
Detective Matthew Hagood 
On January 12, 2024, a pedestrian was crossing a street in Bensalem, PA, when he was struck by a red pickup truck that fled the scene. Despite extensive efforts for over two weeks, local officers were unable to locate the suspect. However, on January 28, 2024, while actively patrolling on Route 1, Detective Hagood received a felony ALPR hit on a red pickup truck. Through exceptional observational skills and diligence, Detective Hagood conducted a high-risk motor vehicle stop, successfully identifying the driver. This decisive action resulted in the arrest and subsequent charging of the individual for the hit and run.
 
Letter of Commendation
Patrolman First Class Bryan Sites 
On April 12, 2024 PFC Sites conducted a meticulous and comprehensive investigation into a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 1 North that resulted in multiple fatalities. His dedication to uncovering the facts of the case was evident in his thorough approach, which included interviewing witnesses, gathering and reviewing video footage, executing search warrants, and effectively coordinating with NJSP CVI and the MCPO. Through these efforts, PFC Sites successfully collected the crucial evidence necessary to charge the responsible individual with three counts of Aggravated Manslaughter (1st Degree) and three counts of Vehicular Homicide (2nd Degree). Recognizing the gravity of the situation, PFC Sites ensured that the charges were promptly entered into NCIC with full extradition, which ultimately led to the apprehension of the suspect in Georgia.
 
Letter of Commendation
Sergeant First Class Kenneth Herman 
On February 1, 2012, Sergeant First Class Herman responded to a residential burglary involving forced entry. As a detective at the time, SFC Herman meticulously processed the scene and collected potential evidence. He uncovered latent fingerprints on a basement window. These fingerprints were submitted for analysis, and in 2024, 12 years later, our agency received notification of a match. Utilizing his extensive training and experience, SFC Herman conducted a thorough and detail-oriented investigation that ultimately identified the suspect responsible for the crime.
 
Letter of Commendation
Sergeant Harpster, Detective Brian Luck, Officer Jake Pietrefesa, Officer Thomas Sites, Officer Brandon Cook 
On December 17 2024, Ofc Pietrefesa responded to a vehicle burglary report on Dahlia Circle and promptly detained a suspect matching the caller’s description. With assistance from Officers T. Sites and Cook in the detention, and guidance from Sgt. J. Harpster during Show-up procedures, multiple pieces of evidence were discovered. The officers linked the suspect to numerous vehicle burglaries and a motor vehicle theft overnight. Det. Luck collaborated with officers to further tie these crimes to the suspect. Their exceptional efforts resulted in charging the suspect with multiple offenses, recovering a stolen vehicle, and executing a search warrant at the suspect's hotel room, successfully closing several additional cases.
 
Letter of Commendation
Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Steve Kanca 
In recognition of service, PST Kanca showed his ability to swiftly gather crucial information during a possible armed carjacking while the victim was still located inside the vehicle. Through his calm demeanor and experience, PST Kanca provided critical updates to officers, leading to the successful location of the vehicle and the resolution of the incident. The suspect was arrested and charged with multiple serious offenses.
 
Letter of Commendation
Detective Brian Luck
Detective Luck investigated two robberies at a local pharmacy. Through his extensive investigation, he was able to obtain multiple search warrants and arrest all five actors in the case. Detective Luck was also instrumental in tying the actors to Robberies in several jurisdictions
 
 
 

Instructions:

To recognize an officer for outstanding work, please go to our website https://southbrunswicknj.gov/police/