Newark Police Officers Honored For Bravery: PHOTOS

Newark, NJ – They are some of Newark’s finest.

In recognition of National Police Week, the Newark Department of Public Safety hosted the Annual Police Week Awards and Memorial Ceremony at City Hall on May 19.

The following list of awardees was provided by the Newark Department of Public Safety.

PURPLE HEART AWARD

The Purple Heart Award, Medal of Valor is awarded to members of the department who have, as a result of taking a law enforcement action, have suffered serious physical injury, permanent impairment of health or death.

This year’s awardee was PO Edna Perez.

‘A’ AWARDS

The “A” Award, Medal of Honor, is awarded for acts for conspicuous acts of gallantry involving the risk of life and knowledge of that risk.

The 2016 awardees include:

• PO Edna Perez - On February 25, 2016, while guarding a prisoner at UMDNJ hospital, Police Officer Edna Perez, without regard for her own personal safety, engaged in a violent struggle when the prisoner attempted an escape from custody. The prisoner attempted unsuccessfully to disarm Police Officer Perez. Officer Perez was severely injured attempting to keep the hospital’s staff and patients safe from the escaped prisoner. NJ Transit Police apprehended the prisoner a short time later prior to exiting the hospital. 
• Det. Glen Calderon - On November 12, 2015 while on-duty and in uniform, Detective Glen Calderon walked into a gas station and interrupted an armed robbery by two suspects. Detective Calderon fired at one suspect after the suspect pointed a handgun at him.  Using sound police tactics, Detective Calderon placed both suspects under arrest without further incident.  
• Det. Juan Ramos and Det. Wyhidi Wilson - On September 18, 2015, Detectives Juan Ramos and Wyhidi Wilson engaged in a foot pursuit with an armed suspect. The suspect turned and pointed the weapon at the detectives. Both detectives fired their weapons, continued the foot chase and ultimately arrested the suspect and recovered a stolen .357 magnum revolver.      
• Sgt. Matthew Ruane, Det. Ana Colon and Det. Tyrell Wheeler - On November 3, 2015, Sergeant Matthew Ruane and Detective Tyrell Wheeler, while in a foot pursuit with armed suspects, fought one suspect to the ground and wrestled the weapon from his hand after Detective Ana Colon fired at one suspect when he pointed a handgun at them. Two arrests were made and two handguns were recovered.

“B” AWARDS

The “B” Award– which is also known as the Medal of Merit, is awarded for distinguished meritorious achievement for distinctive acts of courage.

The 2016 recipients are:

• Lt. Euclides Lopez
• Det Torrance Minatee
• PO David Chapparo
• PO Pedro Rivera
• PO Alfedo Costeira
• PO Kenneth Lee
• PO Lucia DaSilva - Ocasio
• Det Paul Hamilton
• Det Richard Pisano
• Det Tauraon Hinnant   
• PO George Hines
• PO Daniel Oliveira
• PO Franciso Martinez

“C” AWARDS

The “C” Award - known as the Medal for Excellent Police Duty, is awarded for acts of valuable police service or accomplishments by demonstrating special initiatives, faithfulness, perseverance, skills and/or capabilities.

This year’s awardees are:

• PO Joseph Sapienza (2 awards)
• PO John Fields
• PO Jose Rebelo
• Det Tauron Hinnant
• Det Emmanuel Miranda
• PO Careem Yarborough
• PO Latoya Young
• Sgt Ilidio Ferreira
• Det Bobby Bullock
• Det Richard Warren
• PO Wayne Pugh
• Det Nuvar Tehlikian
• Det Paul Hamilton
• Det Brandi McTighe
• SPO Ismael Guerrero
• PO Hector Moya
• PO Eddie Rios
• PO Sandro Colon
• Det Lillian Mejias

OTHER AWARDS

The Teamwork Award recipient for 2016 was given to the New Jersey State Police Criminal Investigative and Field Operations Branches. 

The Director’s Award recipient is Lieutenant John Zutic, the Executive Officer of Criminal Investigation Unit who also oversees the Cease Fire Shooting Task Force. Prior to taking this assignment he spent more than four years in the Essex County Prosecutors County Homicide Task Force.

The recipient of The Chiefs Awards is Sgt Rasheen Peppers, “an individual who has a passion for dealing with the public and who receives many accolades from the public for his hard work.” Peppers is a 20-year veteran assigned to the intelligence unit.

The Unit Award goes to the Department’s Fugitive Apprehensive Team, which was responsible for the arrest of 900 people last year for murder, shootings, rapes and robberies. The team is led by Lt. John Rodrigues.

The Civilian Police Employee Awardee is Richard Wood.

The Citizen Award recipient is Houston Stevens.

The Civilian Employee Recognition awardee is Khalif Thomas.

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Photos courtesy of the City of Newark Press Office