Officers to be Honored for Heroism in Dangerous Situations

A handful of Morris County police officers are being recognized for their work in calming dangerous and even deadly situations while on duty in the past year.

The 200 Club of Morris County is set to have its Valor and Meritorious Awards Dinner on April 30 in Whippany where 30 first responders will be honored for their work. In addition, for the first time ever, two civilians will also be honored.

Kinnelon officer Douglas Shortway was on patrol when he pursued a 26-year-old suicidal man into the woods who was carrying a razor knife. Shortway found him behind a tree, still armed. When the man was told to put down the knife, he refused, and began to approach the officer, claiming he wanted to die. Shortway drew his firearm to protect himself, but continued talking to the man to settle him down. The tactic worked and the man, a former Marine suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, was taken into custody and treated for a drug overdose. He has since made a full recovery. As a result, Shortway is being awarded the Meritorious Service Award.

Two Chatham Borough police officers found themselves in a dangerous situation when a suspect trying to cash a fraudulent bank check became violent. Officer Jeffrey Battiloro was attacked by the suspect inside the bank when he arrived to the call, and the two struggled, falling over furniture and displays. The officer was struck repeatedly in the chest while trying to hang onto the suspect. Battiloro suffered from chest, leg, back, hip and shoulder injuries as a result of the struggle, and the suspect broke free.

Officer Matthew Belcastro arrived on scene and pursued the suspect and eventually grabbed him. The two fell to the street, where Belcastro broke his collarbone. The officer got back up and pursued the suspect, finally cornering him. Belcastro pulled his firearm and was charged by the suspect. Belcastro, despite the broken collarbone, wrestled the suspect to the ground.

A retired New York City Police Officer and Chatham resident, Brian Hart, saw the struggle from nearby and assisted Belcastro as the suspect was handcuffed. Both officers will receive the Award of Valor and Hart will receive the Meritorious Service Award.

A total of 30 officers, first responders, and civilians will be honored at the ceremony for their efforts to help those in need throughout Morris County.

“All of these men showed remarkable composure and professionalism facing down these dangerous criminals,” said 200 Club President Lou Nisivoccia. “Any of these situations could have easily ended in gunfire, but none did.”

Other award recipients include New Jersey State Trooper James Hamill for his work in subduing a knife-wielding man in Montville; and officers and firefighters in Roxbury who saved multiple residents from two separate house fires within a week’s time.

The 200 Club has distributed more than $4 million in benefits to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services workers and their families.

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