South Brunswick Police, Residents, Crossing Guards Honored

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — As part of National Police Week, the South Brunswick Police Department held their annual awards luncheon earlier this week and bestowed recognition on officers, crossing guards and South Brunswick citizens for their outstanding actions in 2018.

The awards ranged from a citizen assisting in a motor vehicle burglary investigation, to officers and EMTs who performed lifesaving measures, to an off-duty corrections officers saving a woman from a burning car fire.

“Today's awards were presented to citizens and officers for their exceptional service," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "Officers do outstanding actions all the time. This day is where we stop to recognize the lives saved, crimes solved, and efforts that went above and beyond. The awards also recognized seven crossing guards for their extraordinary service in protecting children within the community throughout the year.”

Chief’s Safety Award

The following award goes to the township Crossing Guards with more than 10 years of service for protecting the children of South Brunswick day in and day out.

Jean Grzankowski (21 Years)

Susan Kavarsky (11 Years)

Linda Kelly (23 Years)

Julie Marchesani (12 Years)

Maureen Mullen (25 Years)

Nancy Porrovecchio (17 Years)

Anne Villanova (38 Years)

Citizen’s Appreciation Award- Mohammad Farooqi

On June 7, 2018 at 3:43 a.m., he observed suspects burglarize a motor vehicle. He confronted the suspects who fled in a car. Mr. Farooqi followed them and directed police to their location. The suspects were arrested and connected to numerous motor vehicle burglaries.

Citizen’s Appreciation Award - Al Nardi

On October 11, 2018 at 5:09 p.m., he witnessed a motor vehicle crash on Mapleton Road in which numerous injuries occurred. He contacted dispatch and provided immediate care for the occupants until patrol officers arrived on scene. He utilized blankets from his home to keep the patients warm as they awaited EMS arrival. All injured parties involved were safely transported to PMC for treatment.

Community Service Award - Corrections Officer Donald Carson

On June 17, 2018 at 9:14 p.m., Officer Carson was off duty driving on Rt. 535 when he observed a motor vehicle crash. He noticed the driver slumped over the wheel and the car began to catch on fire. He pulled the victim from her burning vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. Officer Carson’s bravery and personal sacrifice saved the victim from a near deadly crash, bringing acclaim upon himself and his department.

Community Service Award - Officer Christine Harris

In December of 2018, she initiated an effort to help underprivileged children at an area motel. She organized a Christmas Toy Drive with her squad and the PBA. Officer Harris donated $250 of her own money, and received an additional $500.00 in donations from her squad members and P.B.A. Local 166 to purchase personalized gifts for each child. Her efforts brought holiday joy to 19 children and positive acclaim upon the department.

Life Saving Medal - Officer Michael Urstadt & Officer Ricardo Moreira

On February 11, 2018 at 1:53 a.m., Officer Urstadt and Officer Moreira responded to a call of a woman in labor. The baby was born prior to officers’ arrival. Once inside the residence, the officers determined that the baby was not breathing and quickly began to suction the baby’s nose and mouth. The baby started to breath and was transported to an area hospital. Their prompt action saved the baby’s life.

Life Saving Medal - Officer Ryan Bartunek & Kendall Park First Aid Squad EMT William Heins

On September 15, 2018, Officer Bartunek and EMT Heins responded to the call of a 58-year-old unconscious man who was not breathing on Steven Road. The officers’ quick response and prompt action allowed them to administer CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED). The man regained a pulse and made a full recovery. Their actions saved his life.

Exceptional Service Award - Officer Bryan Garrison

On April 25, 2018, Officer Garrison conducted an investigation into a reported suicidal woman. His efforts led him to check different locations and eventually force entry into an area motel where he located the woman semi-conscious in a bathtub. Officer Garrison’s diligent investigation and actions saved her life.

Exceptional Service Award - Lieutenant Roger Tuohy & Officer George Morgan

On August 1, 2018, officers responded to an occupied burglary in progress to a Ridge Road business. Lieutenant Tuohy and Officer Morgan made entry and safely secured a woman who was hiding in the business. The team methodically searched the business and discovered the suspect hiding. The suspect resisted police and later assaulted an officer.

Exceptional Service Award - Officer Jason Gassman and Officer Ricardo Moreira

On July 16, 2018 at 7am, officers were dispatched to 3 Independence Way for a victim stuck in an elevator with a smoke condition in the building. Officer Gassman and Officer Moreira evacuated the building. They searched all four floors of the smoky office building and located the elevator the victim was in. The officers manually pried open the elevator to free the victim. Their efforts prevented any serious injury to the victim.

Exceptional Service Award - Detective Timothy Hoover

In May of 2018, Detective Hoover began an investigation into the suspicious death. Over six weeks he showed initiative and accomplishment in pursuing all leads in the child’s death. His investigation led to the arrest and confession of one person for reckless manslaughter.

Letter of Commendation - Officer Sean Roberts

On September 3, 2018, Officer Roberts, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process a burglary of motor vehicle burglary on Deans Lane. Officer Robert’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of a latent fingerprint. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the latent fingerprint to a suspect who was later arrested.

Letter of Commendation - Officer Salvatore Fama

On May 7, 2017, Officer Fama, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process a burglary scene at Crossroads Nursey. Officer Fama’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of a small blood sample from broken glass. In June 2018, the New Jersey State Police lab identified a DNA profile from the blood sample which identified the suspect and linked him to crimes across the country.

Letter of Commendation - Officer Salvatore Fama

On October 9, 2018, Officer Fama, as a member of the department’s crime scene evidence technician program, was assigned to process an attempted burglary scene on Christopher Avenue home. Officer Fama’s detailed crime scene processing led to the recovery of latent fingerprints from a rear window of the residence. The New Jersey State Police lab linked the latent fingerprint to a suspect who was later arrested.

Letter of Commendation - Sergeant Michael Kuchma & Officer Craig Cleffi

On November 1, 2018, officers were dispatched to a suspicious male in the backyard of a Timber Ponds home. Officers arrived within minutes and were able to locate a suspect nearby backyard. The rapid response and quick apprehension led the suspect to be charged with burglary and criminal mischief.

Letter of Commendation - Officer Ricardo Moreira

On June 7, 2018, Officer Moreira investigated a motor vehicle burglary on Kimberly Court. His investigation led to the discovery of evidence in the suspect’s vehicle that linked it to several other burglaries. His detailed investigation report and follow through led to the recovery of stolen property and solving a series of crimes.

Letter of Commendation - Detective Domenick Delucia

On July 10, 2018, investigated a robbery and assault. Detective Delucia was able to identify the actors based solely on the victim’s statement, and location of where the robbery occurred. He was also able to obtain a confession from the suspect and implicate the remaining actors involved. All involved suspects were arrested for 1st Degree Robbery and 2nd Degree Aggravated Assault.

Letter of Commendation - Sergeant Dennis Yuhasz & Detective Brady Shelcusky

In the summer of 2018 over two dozen car burglaries took place. Sergeant Yuhasz and Detective Shelcusky led an investigation that coordinated intelligence between several law enforcement agencies. Those investigative efforts led to the arrest of two suspects, a confession, and the recovery of numerous stolen items.

Civilian Staff Recognition Award - Parame Kannan

She secured a $70,000 grant for the conversion of the existing crime reporting system to a new more comprehensive program. She worked with the New Jersey State Police and the FBI to coordinate the new program called NIBRS. South Brunswick Police will be one of the first department's in the State to use the enhanced program.