(above) Officers Jeffrey Johnson, Michael Pollock, Joseph Habeiche, Elizabeth Savnik, and Tiffany Kenny, along with Detectives Nicholas Bruno and Jason Merritt, were presented with the State PBA’s Unit Citation award for their actions on June 13, 2019 at Tamaques School.
New Jersey State PBA Annual Valor Awards Banquet 2019
Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro and Plainclothes Officer Paul Ferry, President of the Westfield PBA Local No. 90, have announced that seven Westfield Police Officers were recognized by the New Jersey State PBA at its annual valor awards banquet in Atlantic City on November 23, 2019.
Officers Jeffrey Johnson, Michael Pollock, Joseph Habeiche, Elizabeth Savnik, and Tiffany Kenny, along with Detectives Nicholas Bruno and Jason Merritt, were presented with the State PBA’s Unit Citation award for their actions on June 13, 2019 at Tamaques School. These officers and detectives responded to a report of a man “in crisis” who was reportedly in possession of a firearm.
Officers Johnson and Pollock located the individual in question. He was seated in a parked vehicle, directly opposite the school’s main entrance, and was armed with a .45 caliber handgun fully loaded with hollow point bullets.
The subject was quickly disarmed and taken into custody by Officers Johnson and Pollock without incident. Two additional fully loaded magazines were located on his person and an additional 130 rounds of ammunition were later located in the vehicle’s trunk.
Although the normal school day had already ended, some 30 children were still present on the school premises in an aftercare program. The additional responding officers and detectives placed the school into a lockdown, assumed custody of each and every child, and thoroughly searched the interior and exterior of the building and its grounds for additional possible threats.
The NJ State PBA is New Jersey’s largest law enforcement labor union, representing over 33,000 law enforcement officers. The valor awards banquet will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino located on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.
“I am extremely proud of these officers and detectives and how they worked together in such a flawless manner,” stated Chief Battiloro. “Their courageous actions undoubtedly prevented a loss of life and are they are worthy of such a prestigious recognition.” Plainclothes Officer Ferry added, “These officers are skilled professionals who serve their community with pride and distinction. The recognition they are receiving is not only warranted, but well deserved. I am extremely proud to work alongside these individuals and to serve as their union representative.”
