Union Beach Detective Nominated For Valor Award For Fire Rescue

UNION BEACH, NJ - One Union Beach law enforcement member has been nominated for a prestigious award for performing a lifesaving rescue during a house fire earlier this year.

Union Beach Police Chief Michael J. Woodrow has nominated Det. Matthew Deickmann for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police’s annual Valor Award for his off-duty rescue of an elderly woman from a local residential fire.

Deickmann is among 33 officers from nine police departments nominated for the Valor Awards, which will be presented at the 109th Conference and Police Security Exposition from Aug. 23 to 26 in Atlantic City.

Deickmann was off-duty on Friday, Jan. 29 when he noticed thick, black smoke billowing from the garage of a split-level Warren Place home in Middletown. When he noticed a wheelchair in the driveway, Deickmann entered the house through the open garage door "without hesitation or regard for his own safety,” according to Chief Woodrow's nomination.

The detective crouched under the heavy smoke near the door to the residence to gain access, eventually finding the elderly, disabled and disoriented woman inside.

Deickmann found the woman’s walker in the smoke-filled home and guided her outside to safety through the burning garage “using his own body to block the woman from the heat and flames."

The five-year borough police veteran is also a long-time volunteer firefighter with the Belford Engine Co. in Middletown.

The NJSACOP Valor Award was established in 2000 to recognize New Jersey police officers and private citizens who demonstrate exceptional heroism and commitment to their profession, their law enforcement agency and to the public they serve. For more information about the award, visit NJSACOP.