On December 19th, 2016 the Green Brook Police Department conducted its annual awards ceremony in conjunction with the Green Brook Township Committee meeting led by Mayor Nancy Stoll. The ceremony, which recognized officers for exceptional acts performed throughout the year, was unique for 2016 in that for the first time the department also awarded a civilian, Steven Knight of Dunellen, N.J., for his actions in assisting another person.
Before distributing the awards, Chief G. Christopher Kurz stated “The purpose of this ceremony is to recognize individuals who have performed exceptional acts over the past year. Although I’m proud to say our officers work hard every day to provide the highest level of service to the Township and community, there are times when the unexpected occurs and these men are challenged to rise above the norm in order to ensure our citizens are kept safe and secure”.
In order of occurrence, the awards were then presented as follows:
Officer Christopher Dill received an Honorable Service Award for his actions on February 22, 2016 in the investigation and arrest of a subject being sought in multiple jurisdictions for thefts of wheels from car dealerships.
Sergeant Shawn Snyder, Officer Timothy Stringer and Officer Michael Kula received Life Saving Awards for their actions on May 5, 2016 in the saving of a suicidal subject; Officer Stringer also received an Honorable Service Award for having disarmed the subject of a cutting instrument.
Officer Randy Stratton, Officer Gary Maurer and Officer Jonathan Camp each received a Letter of Commendation for their actions on June 5th, 2016 in the arrest of two subjects for the possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a defaced handgun.
Mr. Steven Knight received a Civilian Service Award for his actions on August 4th, 2016 in which he crawled into an overturned vehicle involved in an accident and assisted the driver, cutting away a seatbelt that was restricting their airway and searching the vehicle for other occupants.
Sergeant Danial Lanzafama and Officer Vincent Luberto each received a Letter of Commendation for their actions on August 12th, 2016 in the welfare check and arrest of a subject for possession of 77 folds of heroin.
Officer Michael Kula and Officer Kevin O’Connor received Life Saving Awards for their actions on September 5th, 2016 in which they performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on an unresponsive male with no vital signs, saving his life.
Sergeant Shawn Snyder, Detective Adam Seidel, Officer Timothy Stringer, Officer Anthony Pepe, Officer Jonathan Camp, Officer Randy Stratton and Officer Kevin O’Connor each received a Letter of Commendation for their actions on October 26th, 2016 in locating and arresting a subject reported to be aiming a rifle towards traffic on U.S. Highway 22.
Officer Rigoberto Gonzalez received a Lifesaving Award for his actions on October 29th, 2016 in administering Naloxone Hydrochloride to an unresponsive male after determining he was experiencing an opioid overdose due to prescription medication, saving their life.
Officer Gary Maurer, Officer Jonathan Camp and Officer Randy Stratton received Letters of Commendation for their actions on November 25, 2016 in rapidly evacuating the 3000 building of King Court and surrounding buildings in response to a large and growing fire, resulting in no injuries being reported.
Lieutenant William Coward and Sergeant Danial Lanzafama each received a Ready Commendation Citation Bar for completing 15 years of active and dedicated service.
Upon conclusion of the ceremony, Chief Kurz addressed the room stating “I would like to thank everyone here for taking the time to attend, and know that after what has been a very tumultuous year for law enforcement, your support of our officers and department is greatly appreciated.”
(above) Officer Timothy Stringer, Honorable Service and Lifesaving Award recipient, and Officer Michael Kula and Sergeant Shawn Snyder, Lifesaving Award recipients.
(above) Officer Vincent Luberto and Sergeant Daniel Lanzafama, Letter of Commendation recipients.
(above) Officer Randy Stratton, Officer Jonathan Camp and Officer Gary Maurer, Letter of Commendation recipients.
(above) Officer Gonzalez receiving his Lifesaving award.
(above) Officer Rigoberto Gonzalez, Lifesaving Award recipient.
(above) Sergeant Daniel Lanzafama, Letter of Commendation recipient.
(above) Mr. Steven Knight, Civilian Service Award recipient.
(above) Officer Christopher Dill, Honorable Service Award recipient.
(above) Chief Kurz, Ofc. Timothy Stringer, Ofc.Kevin O’Connor, Ofc.Jonathan Camp, Ofc. Randy Stratton, Ofc. Anthony Pepe, Det. Adam Seidel and Sgt. Shawn Snyder.
