Manchester PBA Celebrates Outstanding Achievement

Officers and community supporters were celebrated during an award ceremony held by the Manchester Police PBA 246 on Sunday night. 

For their efforts in 2011, officers were honored for saving lives, going beyond their normal duties and serving the community at a banquet at in Lakehurst. 

"I think they're fantastic, dedicated officers," said PBA president Paul Bachovchin, who has been a officer for over 12 years. "Every single one of them has been fantastic to work with and they're all deserving."

Retired officers, Mayor Michael Fressola and members of the township council joined the officers and their guests as Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski presented the awards. 

"Let me start by saying that I am proud of each and every one of you," Klimakowski said in remarks before the awards presentation. "For those of you who receive an award tonight and for those of you who don't."

The department regularly receives letters of praise from locals and those driving through town, so even the officers who were not honored at the ceremony should be proud of their work, Klimakowski said. 

Fressola joined in to praise the work of Klimakowski and the department, which . 

"I'm absolutely certain that we have the best police department in the state of New Jersey," Fressola said. "And I mean that sincerely."

Award recipients were:

Chief's Award:

Officer Doug Higgins, a 24-year veteran who is a traffic safety expert and oversees numerous safety programs implemented by the department. Higgins most recently oversaw the . 

Meritorious Service Award:

Officers Patrick Cervenak, Christian Nazario, Daniel Barker and David Fusaro for on Jan. 29, 2011, and rescuing two residents trapped in an upstairs bedroom. 

Officers Antonio Ellis and Rich Conklin for responding to a Pine Ridge home on Nov. 3, 2011, and subduing a man attempting to take his own life and getting him treatment.

Lifesaving Award:

Officer Brian Volk and Fire Chief Michael Trimarchi for responding to a on Sept. 1, 2011, and helping to save the life of a 4-year-old passenger who was not expected to live.

Officer Robert Maccaquano for performing CPR on a 72-year-old woman on Jan. 9, 2011, who survived.

Officer Paul Bahovchin for responding to the Manchester Rite Aid and administering CPR to a man on Dec. 20, 2011.

Exceptional Duty Award:

Art Abline, Office of Emergency Management and Safety Officer, for his work before and after caused major flooding in parts of Manchester.

Officer Peter Manco for his work fighting drunk driving, including honors from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Ocean County Traffic Officers Association (Officer Jason Marles Award). Manco made 89 arrests in 2011, 18 of which were for DWIs.

Chief's Recognition:

Officer Arthur Cronk for his work with the .

Unit Citation Award:

Officers Adam Emmons, Charles Gatnarek, Michael Lynch, Brian Collins, Craig Beaulieu and Shawn Cavalcante for their efforts as field training officers. 

Officers Adam Emmons, Christian Nazario and Charles Brooks for their roles working with the Police Explorers program. 

Officers Marc Micciulla, Michael Terranova, Charles Brooks and Shawn Cavalcante for their work as DARE officers.

Firearms Award:

Officer Maccaquano, pistol master. 

Civilian Service Award:

Greg Kyriakakis 

Fire Chief Michael Trimarchi

New Jersey State PBA Silver Honorary Member Life Card:

John Mcguire and Kevin Burger for their work in the community.