Rescue Of Toddler, Others Trapped Inside Smoke-Filled Home Leads To Awards For Summit Detectives

SUMMIT, NJ — Two Summit Police detectives are being honored after helping rescue a toddler and assist in the evacuation of several people from a smoke-filled home in Newark while they were working on a separate investigation.

The Summit Police Department shared that Detective Darin Sliker and Detective Sergeant Ruddy Garita were in Newark on August 29, 2025, following up on a stolen vehicle case from Summit when they came across heavy smoke coming from a nearby residence on South 19th Street.

As they got closer, a man ran out of the home saying that people were still inside. Moments later, Detective Sergeant Garita saw a woman and a toddler calling for help from a second-floor window as smoke filled the house.

Garita found a ladder nearby, placed it under the window, and climbed up to reach them, helping bring the toddler to safety.

At the same time, Detective Sliker, along with Newark police officers who arrived at the scene, went into the home to check for anyone else inside. They moved through the smoke-filled house and helped make sure everyone was brought out.

The response led to the safe rescue of the toddler and the evacuation of the remaining occupants.

Both detectives are being awarded the 200 Club of Union County Medal of Valor for their actions during the incident.