Hazlet Police Department Presents Awards, 2 New Members Sworn In

HAZLET, NJ - Two new law enforcement officers in the Hazlet community were sworn in and over a dozen current and former officers were honored with awards during a July 20 ceremony on the outdoor stage in Veteran’s Park.

The Hazlet Township Police Department appointed Danielle LaCapria and Rocco Serpico Jr. who will replace a recent officer that retired and another that is about to retire.

LaCapria, a Raritan High School graduate and volunteer with the Hazlet First Aid Squad was appointed to the Police Officer role. She attended Brookdale Community College and is currently attending Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Prior to her new role, LaCapria worked as a Special Law Enforcement Officer for Keyport and she will attend the 101st Basic Course for Police Officers at the Monmouth County Police Academy beginning Aug. 2.

Serpico Jr. is also a Raritan High School graduate. He received an Associate’s Degree from Brookdale Community College and has been attending Kean University. Serpico has been working as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class 2 for Middletown for the past three years. He will attend a two week Accelerated Waiver Course in September which will give him the necessary training to become a full time police officer.

“We wish them both long and healthy careers,” Hazlet Township wrote in a statement. “We also thank Mayor Clark, the Township Committee and the Business Administrator for their continued support of the Police Department and their emphasis on public safety.”

During the special ceremony, several current and former officers were awarded for their ongoing efforts in the community. The awards presented were:

CPR Save Award: Presented to Ptl. Forlenza, Ptl. Wood, Ptl. Douglas Centrone, and Ptl. Vega who responded to a call of an unresponsive patient without a pulse. They established an airway and provided CPR which saved the subjects life. Ptl. Forlenza was not present.

Letters of Recognition: Presented to Lt. Mura, Lt. Forgione, Ptl. C. Logothetis for their attention to detail, hard work and dedication in achieving the Police Departments Re-Accreditation. Lt. Mura was not present.

Presented to Sgt. Marvel who, while off duty, assisted a State Trooper at a rest area during an investigation of a suspicious persons. Subsequent actions resulted in the seizure of an illegal handgun.

Presented to Ptl. Turner for conducting a motor vehicle stop that led to a search and seizure of a quantity of illegal drugs and $5,108.00. Subsequent follow up led to a Search Warrant and a seizure of 46.5 grams or Cocaine and 1.5 grams of Methaphetamines found in a hidden trap.

Presented to Ptl. Surdi for conducting a motor vehicle stop which resulted in a search that yielded a defaced handgun as well as extra ammunition.

Squad Award: Presented to Sgt. Galvin, Ptl. Forlenza, Ptl. Wood, Ptl. Surdi, Ptl. Centrone, Ptl. Eckel, and Ptl. Vega for responding to a residence in reference to a suicidal male. They worked together to establish a plan which ultimately resulted in the subject surrendering. Sgt. Galvin and Ptl. Forlenza were not present.

Presented to Sgt. Marvel, Ptl. Sachs, Ptl. Corcione who assisted a resident during a snow storm by digging out his vehicle and walkway so he could travel to his dialysis appointment. Ptl. Corcione was not present.

Meritorious Service: Presented to Lt. Greene, Sgt. Marvel, Ptl. Schmidt, Ptl. Rucinski, Ptl. Pease who responded to an Emotionally Disturbed Person call where they worked as a team to de-escalate, then plan and execute an effective Taser deployment preventing the person from hurting himself or others.

Presented to Cody Sachs and K-9 Rico who conducted a track in Matawan and ultimately located a woman suffering with Dementia who had wandered off and fell down a steep embankment.

Civilian Service Award: Presented to Philip O’Hara who, through his volunteer work with Hazlet’s Hope Network, has improved the safety and welfare of Hazlet Township residents struggling with addiction.

Presented to John Strohmenger who has shown gracious volunteerism since 2016 to the Hazlet Township Police by outfitting the entire Department with custom office furniture at no cost and always being there when we need him.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to Ret. Chief James Broderick who has provided over four decades of dedicated service, selflessness and professionalism in order to make Hazlet a better, safer place to live.