2 Secaucus Police Officers Nominated For Award After Man Fired Gun At Them On County Avenue

SECAUCUS, NJ — The Secaucus Police Department is nominating Sgt. Peter Maraldo and Sgt. Joseph Fuardo for the New Jersey Police Chief’s Foundation Valor Award.

They are nominated for their response to the June 1, 2025 incident where a man fired a gun at police officers near the County Ave. bus depot.

Subscribe

This happened near the Peter Pan bus depot at 25 County Avenue; the man, Dhanraj Dass, 59, of Jersey City, worked there as a mechanic for the bus company.

That night, Secaucus Police received a 911 call from a woman inside a County Avenue apartment. She said a man stole her cell phone and threatened her with a handgun. Police responded and at approximately 8:47 p.m., Fuardo and Maraldo spotted the suspect sitting in an open doorway in the apartment building.

As the uniformed sergeants approached, police say Dass fired a round at the officers. As Maraldo moved to a tactical position, Dass fired a second round at him. Dass then retreated into the building, prompting officers to establish a perimeter while the Hudson County Regional SWAT team was notified.

Dass later emerged from another doorway and was arrested without the use of force. During a search of the apartment, police recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun, later determined to have been stolen from Texas.

Maraldo and Fuardo are among the nominees from police departments across New Jersey who will be considered for this year’s Valor Award. The award will be presented at the NJSACOP's annual conference and police security expo, which will be held June 22-25 in Atlantic City.

The NJSACOP's Valor Award recognizes New Jersey police officers and private citizens who demonstrate exceptional heroism.

Dass was charged with two counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder [2C:5-1a(1)/2C:11-3a(1)], Aggravated Assault [2C:12-1b(9)], Terroristic Threats [2C:12-3a], Unlawful Possession of a Handgun [2C:39-5b(1)], Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose [2C:39-4a(1)], Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7] and Unlawful Possession of Handgun Ammunition [2C:58-3.3b].

Patch news article the day after the June 1, 2025 incident: Man Shot At Secaucus Police Officers On County Ave. Sunday Night: PD