Port Authority Awards Police Medals To High-Achieving Officers

NEW JERSEY — Nearly 100 staff members of the Port Authority’s police department earned a medal for “outstanding law enforcement” during a recent ceremony in New Jersey.

In total, 84 officers and police personnel earned one of four different medals (see below). Together, the awardees put together a list of feats that included reviving unconscious people, helping those in “medical distress” – which ranged from drug overdoses to delivering babies.

In other incidents, Port Authority police seized illegal firearms and weapons, helping to protect the many transportation hubs under the shield of the bi-state agency.

Here are the four awards that were given out earlier this month:

MERITORIOUS POLICE DUTY MEDAL – The Meritorious Medal is presented to members of the force who have exhibited conduct in a specific incident, which in kind or degree is clearly beyond normal requirements, but is not of the caliber, which would qualify the recipient for the Police Commendation Medal.

POLICE DIVISION GROUP CITATION – The Police Headquarters Group Citation Medal is presented to members of the force whose performance in carrying out specific police action involving three or more officers acting in concert during an unusual emergency is so outstanding to warrant special recognition by the superintendent of police.

MEDICAL DUTY MEDAL - The Medical Duty Medal is presented to members of the force whose performance in carrying out a specific police action involving any medical emergency is so outstanding as to warrant special recognition by the superintendent of police.

EXCELLENT POLICE DUTY BREAST BAR - The Excellent Police Duty Breast Bar has been established to recognize one or more incidents of commendable service.

According to the Port Authority, here are some recent notable incidents that officers have responded to:

Date of Incident: May 27, 2023

• Officers Involved: Detective Kevin Horowitz and PO Robert Greff
• Command: Midtown Bus Terminal
• MEDAL DUTY MEDAL

Officers were dispatched to gate 61 for the report of a woman in labor on a bus. Officer Greff was first on scene and found the woman in active labor and unable to wait for EMS. They were able to successfully deliver a healthy newborn baby and comfort the mother until the arrival of EMS.

Date of Incident: November 27, 2021

• Officers Involved: Lt. Aaron Woody, PO Robert Greff and PO Louis Fontinha
• Command: Midtown Bus Terminal
• MERITORIOUS POLICE DUTY MEDAL

While on patrol, officers observed a male sleeping in the walkway of gate #78. The man possessed an expired Greyhound ticket and was placed under arrest for criminal trespass after given multiple orders to vacate the area. A search incident to lawful arrest produced an assault style rifle, 2 high compacity magazines, a 7-inch bowie knife, cocaine, marijuana, and narcotics distribution paraphernalia.

Date of Incident: May 4, 2023

• Officers Involved: Sgt. Timothy Dombrowski and PO Frank Maddaloni
• Command: John F. Kennedy International Airport
• EXCELLENT POLICE DUTY MEDAL

Officers were alerted to a 79-year-old missing person who suffers from dementia had flown into the airport. Officers conducted a canvas based off cell phone pings of the area and was able to locate the woman and ensured that she was reunited with her caregivers.

Date of Incident: March 15, 2022

• Officers Involved: PO Robert Klink, PO Kelsey Frontera and PO Matthew Salom
• Command: World Trade Center
• MEDICAL DUTY MEDAL

While on patrol, officers were alerted to the report of a disturbance inside of the MTA E train station. Upon arrival, the officers encountered a man heavily from multiple stab wounds to his hands, legs, and abdomen. Officers immediately secured the crime scene, transmitted a description of the suspect, requested an ambulance, and began life saving interventions to the victim. Due to their quick response, officers were able to control the heavy bleeding until the arrival of EMS. The aided was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

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