Bedminster Officer Honored For Taking Down Man With Machete, Bat

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Two Bridgewater Police officers and an officer from Bedminster Police Department, who brought down a township man wearing a ski mask and wielding a machete and baseball bat last year, were honored for their heroic efforts.

On March 10, 2016, Bridgewater Officers John Cooper and Adam Augliera and Officer Paul Piano of Bedminster Police Department were dispatched to a call where Andrew Petkoski, 25, of Bridgewater was armed with a machete and baseball bat on Blossom Drive and Washington Valley Road in the township.

• See Related: Bridgewater Man With Machete and Bat Charges at Police: Report

Petkoski refused to drop the bat even when officers had their guns drawn and eventually Petkoski threw the bat at an officer, narrowly missing his head, according to the affidavit.

The three officers pepper sprayed Petkoski and then tackled him. However, he continued to fight before being finally handcuffed, according to the affidavit.

For their swift actions, the three officers were presented with a Valor Award from the Somerset County 200 Club on May 17.

(Image via Bedminster Township Police Department)

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