Three Toms River Citizens Honored For Stopping Attacks, Saving Child

TOMS RIVER, NJ —In recent weeks, Toms River police commended three citizens with a Civilian Award for helping other people in need before officers arrived.

Two of these citizens helped women who were being attacked, and one saved a lost child from the middle of the road, police said.

Frank Cerankowski stopped a man from attacking a woman on March 23 near Veterans Park and held him until police arrived, the department said.

Police dispatchers learned a man "had possibly stabbed" a woman and was choking her in the middle of the street on North Bay Avenue while witnesses tried to stop him, police said.

Read more: Good Samaritans Stop Toms River Stabbing, Hold Man For Police

Cerankowski heard the woman yelling for help and started looking for her, according to police. He saw a man attacking her, and ran towards the scene.

Cerankowski "was able to remove the male attacker from the victim and pinned the attacker to the ground awaiting police arrival," police said. "Frank Cerankowski should be commended for his brave and courageous actions, that not only put his own life at risk but saved the life of another."

Melissa Watson saved a missing two-year-old on Route 37, police said. On March 22, Watson was driving eastbound on 37 when she saw "a small child in the middle of the highway," police said. Watson saved the child and brought them to a nearby hotel.

"Melissa immediately slammed on her brakes, attempted to alert other motorists, exited her vehicle, and retrieved the child," police said. "She brought the child back to her vehicle and pulled into the hotel parking lot, where she contacted this agency for assistance. Melissa should be commended for her quick actions, bravery, and kindness."

The third citizen honored was Christina Cobb, who was working at Howard Johnsons hotel on Hooper Avenue the night of a stabbing.

Read more: Man Pleads Guilty In Stabbing At Toms River Motel

Cobb was alone at the front desk when a woman came running toward her, asking for help.

"The female victim was being chased by a male suspect who was stabbing the female about the head and body causing multiple lacerations," police said. "Ms. Cobb intervened by physically moving the suspect away and pulling the victim to safety. She then initiated first aid to the victim and contacted this agency for assistance. Ms. Cobb should be commended for her courageous and brave actions, not only putting her own life at risk, but saving the life of another."