Cinnaminson Police, Fire, EMS To Be Recognized By 200 Club

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cinnaminson police, fire and EMS will be honored during the 200 Club of Burlington County’s 28th annual Valor Awards dinner at Merion Caterers on Route 130 in Cinnaminson on Friday, Feb. 23. The reception begins at 6 p.m., with dinner and award presentations beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Cinnaminson Fire Department and the Palmyra/Cinnaminson/Riverton EMS will each receive an Advanced Training Award. The Moorestown Police Department and the Medford Lakes Police Department will also receive the awards. The four organizations will split $5,300 to pay for advanced education and training.

The Advanced Training Awards are presented to departments or agencies for the purpose of funding advanced public safety training programs which enhance the individual’s ability to perform their duties or conduct the training necessary to improve other members’ capabilities.

The Cinnaminson Police Department will receive a Meritorious Service Award, along with Palmyra and Riverton police departments. The three departments will be recognized for saving residents from a burning building on Morgan Avenue on July 15, 2017. They saved numerous lives after entering the building with a complete disregard for their own lives, according to a release from the 200 Club.

Meritorious Service Awards are awarded for service rendered when an individual, with diligence and perseverance, conspicuously performs their duty, above and beyond the call of duty. Examples include preventing crimes, protecting life and/or property, apprehending criminals, or otherwise performing deeds which reflects credit upon the individual and the agency he or she represents.

New Jersey State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Medford Lakes Police Department will also receive Meritorious Service Awards.

On July 1, 2017, members of the New Jersey State Police responded to a report of an unresponsive male inside his home in Tabernacle N.J. The subsequent intense investigation conducted by the N.J.S.P resulted in identifying and arresting the suspect along with recovering the handgun used in the murder.

Medford Lakes Officer Mark McHugh is being honored for successfully resuscitating 3 citizens on 3 separate occasions during 2017 using both CPR and the application of a portable AED. In each case the victim had stopped breathing and had no pulse.

The 200 Club of Burlington County is a charitable, non-profit organization comprised entirely of dedicated volunteers with the primary mission of providing financial assistance to the families of fallen or injured members of the State Police, County and Municipal Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services serving the citizens of Burlington County. The Club also supports these public safety professionals through the awarding of higher education scholarships, advanced training awards and special recognition awards.

Other areas in which awards will be presented include Honor-Valor awarded for an act or deed of personal bravery involving risk to the individuals own life, above and beyond the performance of duty; and Distinguished Service, awarded to an individual that has dedicated years of unqualified giving and service to the betterment of their community, department and profession.

In addition, the 200 Club of Burlington County will distribute $10,000 in Scholarship funds by presenting four $2,500 Scholarships to family members of Burlington County police officers, County detectives, troopers, firefighters, or EMS personnel to offset the cost of college. The winners of this year's scholarships include, Lynee’ Dotson, of Pemberton; Tyler Denelsbeck, of Egg Harbor; Daniel Schneider, of Tabernacle; and Christopher J Knight, of Riverside.

A special recognition award will be presented to former State Sen. Diane Allen for her more than 20 years of support and contributions to the Burlington County Law Enforcement Community and the 200 Club.

Another special recognition award will be presented to Moorestown resident Debbie Johnson, wife of former Moorestown Police Public Safety Harry Johnson for her generous gift to fund the training and education in his honor.

The banquet is open to members of the general public, friends and family of recipients. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the 200 Club of Burlington County at 856-222-0100. Single tickets are $90 per person and a table for 10 guests for $900. Each ticket includes dinner and 1 hour open bar reception.

Patch file photo