Bernards Police Officers Honored For Saving Lives, Notable Actions

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Dozens of Bernards Township Police Officers were honored for their actions and lifesaving measures which included CPR on an unresponsive resident, helping a woman during a domestic incident that involved an attempted murder, and aiding motorists trapped during Tropical Storm Ida.

"It's been a pretty rough couple of years for most Americans of which we are not exempt from that," said Bernards Township Police Chief Michael Shimsky. "All these officers worked through the pandemic, as you know, they came to work every day and put their own health and safety at risk by coming to work to help the citizens of the township."

The awards highlight some of the accomplishments made over the years dating back to 2018.

Many of the awards highlighted officers efforts in drug-related, car thefts or fraud in the township. There were also many that included life-saving efforts.

Attempted Murder

Among those life-saving efforts included a Unit Citation award to Officers Herndon, Dill, Jasina, Fallon, Girard, and Neri for their actions on Sept. 9, 2021.

Just shortly after the beginning of dayshift, officers were called out to a home for an unknown medical problem involving someone bleeding, according to Shimsky.

When Officer Dill knocked on the front door, he encountered a man with blood covering his arms and legs. Corporal Herndon took control of the bloody man while Dill checked the house where he found a woman in the bedroom with multiple stab wounds as well as a deep cut across her throat, said Shimsky.

Police also found a bloody butcher knife that the woman said that her husband had allegedly used that morning to cut her. Officers Frank Girard and Phil Jasina arrived and helped to provide first aid, said Shimsky.

The husband was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder. Further investigation by Detectives Fallon and Neri found that the woman had been reportedly been held captive for many hours with her injuries before the police were able to be called, said Shimsky.

"These officers’ actions that day were directly responsible for the survival of the victim and murder charges being lodged against her attacker. Congratulations on your dedication and teamwork in bringing this incident to a successful close," said Shimsky.

The names of the victim and the man arrested will not be disclosed as this is a domestic violence incident.

Tropical Storm Ida

Shimsky also noted the heroic and life-saving actions taken by officers during Tropical Storm Ida.

On the evening of Sept. 1, 2021, Lt. Eric Geleta, Lt. Christopher Hurst, Cpl. Christopher Baxter, Officer John Mulhall, Officer JD Moore and Officer Alec McCrea were all working.

During the storm, these officers effectuated dozens of rescues of motorists trapped in their vehicles on various roadways in the township. Many were self-initiated and went undocumented in the police department's CAD system as a result of the dispatch system being overwhelmed.

The officers worked tirelessly through the evening risking their own safety. Their selflessness and dedication resulted in numerous citizens being guided to safety. Thankfully no injuries were reported during this event. All of these officers’ actions that evening is to be commended," said Shimsky.

There were also five other life-saving awards given to officers for their actions including during the afternoon of Oct. 2, 202.

Police received a call from the Shannon Hill Stables that a 63-year-old man who was playing polo had collapsed unconscious and not breathing and that CPR was being performed.

Officer Sly Zolnierowski who was on-site working a security detail immediately responded to the man's location to assist with CPR. Sgt. Amerman, Officers Gumprecht and Bohannan also immediately responded to the scene and within minutes were able to administer a shock from their AED.

The victim regained a pulse and was speaking with officers as he was loaded into the ambulance, said Shimsky.

"These officers’ actions were directly responsible for the victim to survive this event. Congratulations on this great achievement," said Shimsky.

"It is a genuine pleasure and privilege to be here tonight to recognize the officers of our department who have gone above and beyond the call of service to our community. To be a police officer take a very special kind of person. Someone who decides that they are going to dedicate themselves to the service of others and was willing to meet the physical, mental and emotional demands of the profession," said Committeewoman Janice Fields. "To be a law enforcement officer is not a job it's actually a calling. They don't do it for the money or the accolades they do it because deep within them resides one of the most honorable things in human nature. The desire to serve and protect."

"All of the stories that we heard are a tremendous reminder of the sacrifice that the men and women of our Bernards Township Police Department do for us to help make our town the safe place that it is," said Committeeman Andrew McNally.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.