Summit Officers Honored For Work, Guarding Elizabeth Bombing Suspect

SUMMIT, NJ — Three Summit Police Officers were honored at the annual Union County SWAT / UCERT awards banquet for their work including participation in the state-coordinated efforts guarding terrorist suspect, Ahmad Rahimi.

Summit Police Officer Ryan Peters was awarded the Chief David F. Regal Award. The award is given to a member of the teams who demonstrates outstanding leadership and goes above and beyond the call of duty. Officer Peters is a member of SWAT and UCERT and also serves as a a Field Training Officer, firearms instructor, and Active Shooter Response instructor.

In addition to Peters, Sgt. Rick Proctor and Officer Jimmy Freeden were awarded Certificates of Excellence by Prosecutor Grace Park.

Sgt. Proctor, a UCERT member, and Officer Peters, SWAT/UCERT, were recognized for his participation in the state-coordinated efforts guarding terrorist suspect, Ahmad Rahimi. Officer Freeden, a SWAT negotiator, was recognized for his efforts during a barricaded suspect operation.

Rahimi, a 28-year-old naturalized United States citizen who is suspected to be involved in bombings in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea, was caught in September, according to authorities.

Read more: NJ Man Was Funny, Mysterious Student Who Became Captured Terror Suspect, Reports Say

Rahimi was taken into custody by police in Linden after he was wounded in a shootout that left two city officers injured, according to Union County officials. He has been at University Hospital in Newark for about a month.

"Congratulations to all Officers and thank you for your service and bravery as members of these specialized response teams," Summit Police posted.

(Image via Summit PD)

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