Lacey Police Honor Officers For Life-Saving Efforts

LACEY, NJ — Lacey Township police officers were recognized during a department awards presentation at the latest township council meeting.

The ceremony included life-saving awards, a Gallantry Star Award and the department's Medal of Honor.

Subscribe

Chief Paul Sullivan Jr. said some of the cases came to light only after follow-up review or notes from residents.

"It's very humble group," Sullivan said.

Among the life-saving awards, Sullivan said Sgt. Watkins and Officer Fusciello responded earlier this year to a report of a 50-year-old man who was unconscious and not breathing. He said the officers began CPR, used a defibrillator and continued care until the man regained a pulse and began breathing on his own. Sullivan said the man made a full recovery and is home with his family.

Sullivan also recognized Sgt. Sarno, Detective Walsh and Officer Spina for a separate CPR call on Alans Way in Lanoka Harbor. He said the officers performed several rounds of CPR and delivered multiple shocks before EMS and paramedics arrived. Sullivan said the patient made a full recovery.

Another life-saving award went to Officer Copes, Officer Hile and Officer Primavera for a May 26 response on East Haines Street. Sullivan said they found a 64-year-old man on a kitchen floor with no pulse and not breathing, started CPR, attached an AED and continued care until EMS arrived. He said the man regained a pulse, began breathing and survived.

The Gallantry Star Award was presented to Detective Hutman, Sgt. Flynn, Sgt. Delzeal and Detective Baldasari, with retiring Detective Sgt. Ewart named as a recipient. The award is for the arrest of a person who is a major physical threat to the community at large. Sullivan said the award was tied to the March 2026 robbery of the TD Bank. He said detectives obtained surveillance video, identified the suspect's vehicle, pursued leads, obtained warrants and worked with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, FBI, U.S. Marshals and other agencies. Sullivan said the investigation led to the identification of 50-year-old Kenneth Grant of South River, and that a task force coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service to take him into custody.

The final award, the Medal of Honor, went to Officer Jason Lee and Officer Martin Julian for a June 30, 2026, response to Bayfront Park for a possible drowning. The award is given to officers who risk their own safety.

Sullivan said officers learned a person was in open water more than 700 feet from shore. He said Lee and Julian entered the water, reached a passing recreational vessel, took control of that boat and drove to the victim's location.

Julian "without hesitation dove into the water," Sullivan said. The officers brought the unresponsive person onboard and administered CPR.

"Unfortunately the victim did pass days later," Sullivan said. He said the officers' actions got the person to the hospital and allowed time for the family to be reunited before the person's death.

"It's things like this that happen every single day here," Sullivan said.