Manchester Officers Honored For Saving Trooper Malast's Life

MANCHESTER, NJ — It was in the midst of the January blizzard when the call came in to dispatch: Manchester native and retired State Trooper Brian Malast was unresponsive and not breathing at his Manchester home.

Manchester Sgt. Robert Sharry and Patrolmen Michael Guarino, Kyle Rickvalsky, and Michael Steffen, responded to the call that January day, driving through the blizzard and digging through deep snow to get help to Malast and get him out and to a hospital for treatment, Manchester officials said at a ceremony honoring the four and other Manchester police officers for meritorius service in 2016.

When the officers arrived at Malast's home that January day, they found Malast — who was paralyzed from the neck down in a 2005 on-duty car crash — unresponsive and not breathing, officials said. Sharry, a trained EMT, discovered that Malast’s breathing tube was disconnected and that he was not getting any oxygen, and quickly reattached Malast's breathing tube. Once the breathing tube was reattached, Sharry immediately began CPR.

Upon the arrival of Quality Medical Transport, Guarino, Rickvalsky and Steffen assisted by shoveling a pathway through the deep snow and maneuvered much-needed first aid equipment into the house from the ambulance, officials said.

Then the officers, with the assistance of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company and Quality Medical Transport, secured Malast in a Reeves stretcher, carried him down a flight of stairs and outside through the snow to the ambulance all while continually performing CPR, officials said.

Because no paramedics were available to respond to the residence, Guarino drove the ambulance to Community Medical Center so the two members of Quality Medical Transport could continue medical treatment in the back of the ambulance, officials said.

"The prompt and alert actions of these officers, along with the collaborative efforts of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company and Quality Medical Transport EMTs, resulted in the saving of Trooper Malast’s life," officials said.

Malast eventually recovered and was a guest of honor as the four Manchester officers were honored for saving his life at Dec. 14 during the annual Departmental Awards Ceremony held in the Municipal Complex Courtroom.

“Our officers make a positive impact on our community each day through their many commendable and courageous acts," Police Chief Lisa Parker said. "This ceremony is to celebrate those accomplishments that go above and beyond, such as the efforts of these four officers and all of the other honorees.”

At the end of the ceremony, which saw the presentation of many awards, Mayor Kenneth Palmer offered closing remarks. In doing so, he recounted how he is frequently approached by residents who want to tell him about the many positive impacts that Manchester Township Police officers have on their lives. “Where ever I go, I hear positive comments about our Police Department. I’m very proud to have you all serve our community. As a resident, and on behalf of the Township Council, I thank you all very much,” said Mayor Palmer.

Parker and the entire police department command staff expressed thanks to all who attended the awards, including township officials and employees, Police Chaplains James Davis and Robert Clark, and the friends and family members of those honored.

In addition to the four officers honored with the Life Saving Award, the following awards were presented:

Receiving the Civilian Service Award were Dana Cerullo and Melissa Nazario for assisting in the development of the “Not Even Once” opiate awareness program curriculum that is taught to students at Manchester Township High School, and resident Richard T. Boehm, who extinguished a kitchen fire in his neighbor’s house.

Receiving the Firearms Distinguished Expert award were Detectives Richard Jupinka and Robert Maccaquano for attaining perfect scores on their last three firearms qualifications.

Receiving the Chief’s Recognition Award for their sustained efforts in the area of traffic enforcement and criminal law enforcement were Patrolmen Ian Bole, Joseph Fastige and Keith Craig.

Receiving Unit Citations were Patrolman Anthony Iliadis, for becoming a field training officer, and Patrolman Joseph Reilly, for becoming a field training officer and for serving as a physical training instructor at the Ocean County Police Academy.

Receiving the Educational Achievement Award were Chief Lisa Parker, Capt. Todd Malland, Lt. Robert Dolan, Lt. Vincent Manco, Lt. James Sharkey, Sgt. Michael Leming, Sgt. Bryan Vidovich, Sgt. Theodore Cooke, Sgt. Richard Mazza, Sgt. Salvatore Ventre, Sgt. Charles Brooks, Sgt. Joseph Hankins, Sgt. Robert Sharry, Sgt. Albert Vega, and Detective Sgt. Christopher Hemhauser. All successfully completed the
prestigious 14-week NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy. Also receiving the award was Patrolman Christopher Cerullo, for receiving his master’s degree.

Receiving the Honorable Service Award were Patrolman Jason Wiener, Patrolman Patrick Cervenak, Detective Adam Emmons, Patrolman Christopher Cerullo, and Patrolman Michael Steffen for their credible acts in the line of duty which demonstrated initiative and accomplishment.

Receiving the Drug Enforcement & Seizure Award were Patrolman Brian Collins and Patrolman Matthew Juralewicz for their diligent and thorough efforts in uncovering and dismantling a rolling methamphetamine laboratory in Pine Lake Park.

Receiving the Exceptional Duty Award was Patrolman Anthony Iliadis for his diligence and tenacity during the course of a motor vehicle stop which resulted in the arrest of three wanted men as well as the seizure of loaded .357 handgun.

Receiving the Chief’s Award were Detective Adam Emmons, Patrolman Christopher Cerullo, Patrolman Joseph Fastige and Patrolman Keith Craig for their development and implementation of the “Not Even Once” opiate awareness program taught to Manchester Township High School students.

Receiving the Wounded in Combat Award was Sgt. Joseph Hankins for his actions in combating a suicidal armed assailant who attacked and cut him with an 8-inch pair of scissors.

Receiving the Combat Cross Award was Patrolman Charles Gatnarek for his individual act of heroism during an incident in which there was an imminent threat to the life of both other officers and civilians while in combat with an armed adversary.

Photos courtesy of Manchester Township