John King of Essex Fells Receives Valor Award

The Two Hundred Club of Essex County doled out its annual Valor Awards last week, with 32 police and fire officials recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty amid the most harrowing situations.

Among the recipients was John King of Essex Fells, a councilman and volunteer with the Essex Fells Fire Dept. who displayed remarkable courage last December when he rescued his own daughter in a .

The following summary of the evening's events was prepared by The Two Hundred Club:  

It is very rare for the quiet suburban town of Essex Fells, with 2,000 residents protected by a 50 member volunteer fire department, to have a major fire.  Yet on a quiet December 11, 2011 afternoon John King, a borough firefighter, and his family and friends were celebrating a birthday at his residence at 145 Devon Road, a party none would forget.

Around 5:30, many were in the backyard enjoying toasting marshmallows, making S’mores and enjoying each other’s company, while some of the many children were playing in the house. Everyone was in a happy, festive mood.

The guest’s cars were parked in the driveway, and suddenly and unbeknownst to anyone outside because of an obstructed view, one of the vehicles in the driveway inexplicably caught fire and proceeded to burn uncontrollably.  Soon other cars were involved and the fire began to communicate to the attached garage.  It rapidly spread up to the eave and then across the second floor of the King’s home.

All this time John King and his family remained unaware of the disaster that was about to unfold, since they were located on the other side of the house.  It was not until 5:50 that a passerby saw the fire and notified the Essex Fells Fire Department.  At the same time the partygoers heard the “popping” sounds of the vehicles’ and garage’s windows.

F/F John King sprang into action.  He ran to the side of his house which was now engulfed and quickly assessed the situation.  He knew that his house was going to be fully involved in flames and that his family and friends were in immediate danger.

As the fire raged and the smoke engulfed the entire family home, King remained calm and focused.  He and his brother performed a quick headcount and realized that his daughter and niece were last seen in the basement.  Without the benefit of any protective gear, air pack, or back up hose line (as the fire apparatus had not yet arrived), F/F King went into the basement, where on his hands and knees,  performed a textbook search for the missing children.

He located his daughter, frozen in fear, in the corner of the basement.  King grabbed her and got her to safety.  As he was prepared to go back in to find his niece, he was told that she had escaped moments before and was safely in the care of a neighbor.

It is rare that a firefighter has the opportunity to save members of his own family, yet faced with that stressful situation, Essex Fells Firefighter John King used his training and experience to save his daughter, thereby preventing this fire from being even more tragic.

The 200 Club of Essex County is proud to present a Valor Award to F/F John King.

Also among the Valor Award recipients was Det. Michael Morgan, the Newark police officer , who was posthumously honored with two awards for apprehending armed drug and gang suspects last year in separate incidents. 

Touching upon the sad reality public safety officers are sometimes faced with, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said the club's 46-year honor roll has reached 86 casualties, including the loss of Morgan, Newark Police Officer William C. Johnson Jr. and Sheriff's Officer Jorge Oliveira. Johnson, a 16-year veteran of the department, nearly a year ago, while Oliveira was while serving in the National Guard in Afghanistan.

The nonprofit county Two Hundred Club is dedicated to families of those who die in the line of duty through providing a network of support and financial assistance.

"There are people who are getting awards today that have stopped carjackings and ran into burning buildings to help children, all of the things that … people in these communities take for granted," said New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa.

VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS

Irvington Police Department
Patrolman Rashaan Sampson

Newark Police Department
Police Officer Ronald Bernard
Police Officer Jeffrey Bouie
Sergeant Joseph Conzentino
Police Officer Jeffrey Doherty
Police Officer Rafael Freitas
Police Officer Robert Graham
Detective Alan Knight
Police Officer Fluvio Marano
Lieutenant Darryl Martin
Detective Josue Martinez
Detective Michael Morgan, posthumously awarded
Sergeant Matthew Ruane
Police Officer Joseph Silva
Detective Pedro Torres Jr.
Police Officer Wyhidi Wilson

Belleville Fire Department
Firefighter Ralph Castellano

Essex Fells Fire Department
Firefighter John King

Irvington Fire Department
Captain John Durish
Firefighter Michael Scott
Lieutenant Kaimu Suggs
Lieutenant Michael Torsiello

Newark Fire Department
Firefighter David Daniels
Firefighter Raymond Hatton
Captain Robert Holland
Chief Raul Malave III
Captain Kevin Mitchko
Captain Edward Pimentel
Firefighter Joaquim Pinto
Firefighter Daniel Roebuck
Captain Carl Wendt