Westfield Cop Provides Security, Ice Cream After Gunman Arrest

WESTFIELD, NJ - The day after the arrest of a man armed with a handgun and more than 130 rounds of ammunition in the Tamaques School parking lot, Officer Matthew O'Holla brought more than safety to the Westfield elementary school.

He brought ice cream.

On Friday, O’Holla was assigned to a security detail at Tamaques School after the incident in the parking lot the day before and during the after-school program, O’Holla bought ice cream for the children.

The children in the after-school program are those who were moved to the gymnasium during the lock down that leads to the arrest of Thomas J. Wilkie, 46, of Bear, Del.

He was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, and fourth-degree trespassing on school grounds, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Jennifer Davenport.

O’Holla said he wanted to “keep the kids comfortable around the uniform especially after yesterday.”

O’Holla was hired on July 17, 2015 and graduated the John H. Stamler Police Academy on December 17, 2015. He was appointed "Class Guide" by the academy staff and he also received the "Leadership Award."

O’Holla served active duty in the United State Coast Guard from November 2006 to July 2015 and currently, he continues his USCG service as a reservist assigned to the Station Sandy Hook.

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