South Brunswick Police And Citizens Honored For Outstanding Work

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — This year has been like no other marked by loss and tragedy. But amidst all this, officers of the South Brunswick Police Department remained at the service of citizens. The police department holds their award ceremony each year in May. But this time, the pandemic played spoilsport.

The awards ceremony recognizes the works, bravery and perseverance of officers and citizens. Over the past two weeks the police department gave their officers awards individually. These awards were submitted to a committee of officers for a determination of their merits. A final report was submitted to the Chief of Police who authorized the awards.

“These officers’ actions stopped violent criminals, saved lives and enhanced our community. This has been a difficult year, but reviewing these awards just reinforces what a great department we have. I also want to thank the community members who step up year after year to make our Township great,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka.

There are four categories to the 2020 awards – Exceptional Service Award (the highest award given), Lifesaving, Community Service / Letter of Commendation, and Civilian Award and recognize efforts during 2019.

Here are the officers who received awards:

Exceptional Service Award – Exploited Victims Investigation

Detective Brian Sites investigated a series of crimes where young woman were being exploited and extorted on the internet. he conducted a four-month long investigation and coordinated with the New Jersey State Police Cyber Crime Unit and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office to pursue the suspect. His investigation led to the arrest and conviction of the suspect, bringing closure to the victims and an end to the sexual exploitation.

Exceptional Service Award – Dark Web Drug Operation Arrests

Lieutenant Jeffrey Russo conducted a yearlong joint investigation along with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency into narcotics trafficking over the “Dark Web.” The investigation resulted in the largest seizure of Xanax in the State. Five people were arrested and charged with multiple counts of trafficking narcotics.

Exceptional Service – Dispute Investigation

Officer Michael Urstadt investigated a dispute incident in which a man reported being a victim of a stabbing. The actual victim was afraid to call the police because she suffered significant abuse by the man. Through his investigation, Officer Urstadt found that the true victim in the assault was the woman and that the man had staged the crime scene. The woman was treated for substantial injuries and the man was arrested.

Exceptional Service Award – Fatal Hit and Run Arrest

Traffic Safety Bureau -Sergeant Gary Holsten, Officer Michael Leung, Officer Jesse Blake, Officer William Merkler responded to a fatal hit and run, on County Route 535, on Aug. 8. The investigation was complex, including the processing of three separate crime scenes over a five-mile area, multiple witness interviews, DNA/evidence collection and multiple search warrants. The investigation resulted in tracking down and arresting the suspect responsible for the death.

Exceptional Service – Handgun Arrest

Lieutenant Scott Reeves and Officer Bryan Garrison. Officer Garrison responded to a report of man brandishing a firearm on Aug. 13. Garrison located the suspect’s vehicle and coordinated a high risk vehicle stop with other officers, removing all occupants. Lieutenant Reeves canvassed the route the vehicle had traveled, successfully recovering a loaded firearm with hollow point ammunition.

Exceptional Service Award – Robbery Arrest

Detective Domenick Delucia and Detective Brian Sites. On Oct. 11 while off duty, Detective Delucia observed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle involved in a recent gas station armed robbery. He quickly coordinated assistance with other officers and Detective Sites responded. The suspect left a store and officers approached to speak with him. The suspect fled on foot with detectives in pursuit. The detectives captured the suspect after a half mile foot chase. The investigation brought an end to a robbery spree that spanned two States and three counties.

Exceptional Service Award – Armed Suspect Arrest

Sergeant Richard Hutchison, Officer Gagan Chopra, Officer George Morgan, Officer Jarrid Harpster responded to a hotel on a report of a wanted man with a stolen shotgun on Dec. 22. They conducted a search of the hotel and found the armed suspect behind a banquet table. They were able to take him into custody without injury to hotel guests, officers, or the suspect.

Life Saving Medal

Officer George Vit, Officer Joseph Marrero, Officer Joseph Rausch and Officer Jason Stonkus. On Sep.17 officers responded to a report of an 88-year-old unresponsive man. The officers’ quick response and teamwork allowed them to administer CPR and an automated external defibrillator. The man regained a pulse and made a full recovery.

Life Saving Medal

Officer Jarrid Harpster and Officer Kent English responded to a report of a man who had stabbed himself in the chest on Dec. 10. Harpster found that the male was suffering from a sucking chest wound. Harpster improvised and utilized a plastic bag with duct tape to create a chest seal to stabilize the victim. Harpster and English continued to provide lifesaving care EMS arrived.

Life Saving Medal

Officer Daniel Rodriguez, Officer Michael Urstadt, Officer Tyler Harpster and Officer Jason Stonkus. On Aug. 1 officers responded to a report of a 49-year-old unresponsive man. The officers’ quick response and teamwork allowed them to promptly administer CPR and an automated external defibrillator. The man regained a pulse and made a full recovery.

Life Saving Medal

Officer Christopher Magee-Vanderveen, Officer Daniel Rodriguez and Officer Michael Urstadt responded to a report of a 48-year-old man who was unresponsive on July. 22. The officers’ administered CPR and an automated external defibrillator. The man regained a pulse and made a full recovery.

Community Service Award

Sergeant Nathan Labuda has organized the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run in South Brunswick Township for the last seven years. Labuda coordinated fundraising which resulted in substantial donations to New Jersey Special Olympics. He also partnered the department and the South Brunswick School District to include special needs athletes from three different schools.

Community Service Award

Officer George Morgan became involved with the South Brunswick Community both in an official capacity and as a volunteer for many community events - from his work raising funds for people in need to coaching young people in basketball. His efforts fostered a positive relationship and partnership with the community, juveniles and numerous organizations.

Letter of Commendation

Public Safety Tele communicator (PST) John Muccioli exhibited discretion and communication skills in coordinating a rapidly evolving foot pursuit of a robbery suspect on Oct. 11. With little warning, detectives broadcasted that they were pursuing a robbery suspect. Muccioli was able to provide precise and vital information, leading to the capture of the suspect.

Letter of Commendation

Detective Timothy Hoover led an investigation involving the Distribution of CDS in the beginning of June 2019. He coordinated efforts with other agencies and handled all avenues of the investigation. Due to Hoover’s efforts a large quantity of CDS were taken off the street.

Letter of Commendation

Officer Brooke Labell was assigned to process a burglary scene at a residence on Sep. 24. Labell’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of latent fingerprints resulting in the arrest of the suspect.

Letter of Commendation

Officer Matthew Hagood responded to a report of a teen being dehydrated and lost in a heavily wooded area. Hagood located the teen who was stuck in the mud up to his knees. He was assisted out of the mud and provided with medical attention.

Citizens Appreciation Award

Fazil Syed saw a Nixle alert on Feb. 19 about a missing 10-year-old nonverbal autistic child. Syed began to search his neighborhood and soon located the child and alerted the police. The child had been outside in the cold for several hours. Syed’s actions resulted in the child being safely reunited with his family.

Civilian Staff Recognition Award

Caryl Greenberg worked with the police department in helping members of the community for 15 years, while serving as a social worker. Greenberg proved to be an invaluable resource and problem solver for South Brunswick officers. Her service and leadership has been vital to the success of the police department.

Chief’s Safety Award

Mildred Torres - Domestic Violence Response Team was awarded the Chief’s Safety Award for assisting victims of domestic violence in South Brunswick for over 10 years. The Domestic Violence Response Team has proven to be an effective tool to support victims in breaking the cycle of domestic violence. Torres’s service and leadership has been vital to the success of the Domestic Violence Response Team’s partnership with the South Brunswick Police Department.

Chief’s Safety Award

Christine Caputo-Raddatz was awarded the Chief’s Safety Award for protecting the children of South Brunswick Township by serving as a crossing guard for over 10 years.

Citizens Appreciation Award

Francis White and Francis White Jr., observed a man stabbing himself in the chest with a knife on Dec. 10. The men wrestled the knife away from the victim. White provided live saving care and directed officers to his location.