Keansburg Police Officer Who Was Stabbed In Pharmacy Standoff Honored

KEANSBURG, NJ — At a special dinner party Friday night in Spring Lake, the 200 Club of Monmouth County honored the four Keansburg police officers who responded to a hostage situation at Keansburg Pharmacy on January 6.

The suspect who was killed was James Sutton, 55, of Keansburg, and the hostage was successfully rescued.

The four officers who responded that day — Patrol Officer Jillian Putkowski, Lieutenant Dennis Valle, Detective Richard Johnson and Detective Christopher Rogan — were each honored with an award for their bravery.

"The officers risked their own lives to save the life of the employee," said the 200 Club.

One officer, Lt. Valle, was stabbed multiple times and shot during the exchange. As Patch previously reported, he had to undergo multiple surgeries at Jersey Shore Medical Center to recover and was hospitalized for weeks.

"He was stabbed in his wrist, and his left elbow was shattered," said Keansburg Mayor Andrew Hoff at the time. "He needed an eight- to nine-hour surgery on Saturday and just went in for his second surgery."

This was an attempted robbery at 3:21 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Keansburg Pharmacy, where police say Sutton took an employee hostage and held that person at knifepoint.

That day, Keansburg Police received a 911 call of a robbery in progress at the pharmacy at 199 Main Street.

When officers arrived, Sutton was holding a large knife and threatening to harm an employee of the pharmacy.

One officer, later identified as Valle, was stabbed by Sutton, said the NJ Attorney General. Multiple officers fired their service weapons, striking Sutton, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

“They deserve, and have earned, our utmost respect and appreciation,” said Benjamin Lucarelli, the new president of The 200 Club of Monmouth County. “These fine men and women have served with distinction, and we recognize their heroism and dedication to the community.”

Read the original Patch report on this incident: Officer Stabbed, Suspect Killed In Keansburg Pharmacy Incident