Two Hundred Club Medal of Valor Award
Each year, Valor Award recipients are chosen in part on the recommendations of the chiefs of police and firefighters in the 21 municipalities here in Union County. They are submitted to our Valor Awards committee for review and final selection. In the Spring of each year our Annual Spring Valor Award Luncheon is held with hundreds of attendees. It is here that these heroes are presented with the Valor Award.
Please join us at our 55th Annual Valor Awards Luncheon to recognizing the following 2024 Valor Award Recipients from Union County, NJ:
Please join us at our 55th Annual Valor Awards Luncheon to recognizing the following 2024 Valor Award Recipients from Union County, NJ:
On the night of December 28, 2023, Officers Ryan McSharry and Christopher Folinusz embarked on a heart-pounding pursuit that would test their courage and bravery in the face of danger.
Officer Ryan McSharry spotted a suspicious van, possibly linked to a string of armed robberies terrorizing Union and Middlesex Counties. After confirming the van was stolen, Officer McSharry sprang into action initiating a pursuit on the Garden State Parkway.
Officer McSharry, joined by Officer Folinusz, engaged in a high-speed chase heading south on the Garden State Parkway. With absolute regard for the public’s safety, Officers Folinusz and McSharry maintained pursuit until the suspect attempted to exit the GSP at a high rate of speed causing the vehicle to veer out of control and collide with a guard-rail.
Immediately after the crash, the suspect emerged from the vehicle firing a semi-automatic weapon. Officer Folinusz bravely confronted the threat head-on. In a split-second decision, he put himself in harm's way to protect his fellow officer and innocent civilians traveling on the active motorway. At which time Officer Folinusz sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. Officer Folinusz and Officer McSharry returned fire, ultimately eliminating the threat. Once the scene was secure, Officer McSharry acted quickly to apply a tourniquet to Officer Folinusz's arm.
It was later discovered that the suspect had an extensive criminal history and was known to have carried out multiple armed robberies at convenience stores and gas stations in the months leading up to his arrest, including a robbery on Christmas Day at a Clark Exxon Station.
Thanks to the selfless actions of both Officers Folinusz and McSharry, a dangerous criminal was brought to a halt, preventing further harm to the community. For their fearless resolve and extraordinary bravery in the face of danger, Officer Christopher Folinusz and Officer Ryan McSharry are being awarded the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
Officer Ryan McSharry spotted a suspicious van, possibly linked to a string of armed robberies terrorizing Union and Middlesex Counties. After confirming the van was stolen, Officer McSharry sprang into action initiating a pursuit on the Garden State Parkway.
Officer McSharry, joined by Officer Folinusz, engaged in a high-speed chase heading south on the Garden State Parkway. With absolute regard for the public’s safety, Officers Folinusz and McSharry maintained pursuit until the suspect attempted to exit the GSP at a high rate of speed causing the vehicle to veer out of control and collide with a guard-rail.
Immediately after the crash, the suspect emerged from the vehicle firing a semi-automatic weapon. Officer Folinusz bravely confronted the threat head-on. In a split-second decision, he put himself in harm's way to protect his fellow officer and innocent civilians traveling on the active motorway. At which time Officer Folinusz sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. Officer Folinusz and Officer McSharry returned fire, ultimately eliminating the threat. Once the scene was secure, Officer McSharry acted quickly to apply a tourniquet to Officer Folinusz's arm.
It was later discovered that the suspect had an extensive criminal history and was known to have carried out multiple armed robberies at convenience stores and gas stations in the months leading up to his arrest, including a robbery on Christmas Day at a Clark Exxon Station.
Thanks to the selfless actions of both Officers Folinusz and McSharry, a dangerous criminal was brought to a halt, preventing further harm to the community. For their fearless resolve and extraordinary bravery in the face of danger, Officer Christopher Folinusz and Officer Ryan McSharry are being awarded the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
On July 29, 2023, Officers Steven Lazo and Walter Franco quickly responded to the scene of a distressed caller who stated that there was an unwanted guest in the residence.
As they approached the house, they could hear a woman scream as she urgently called for help. Despite multiple attempts to get a response by knocking, they entered through an unlocked door and headed towards the source of the screams where they unexpectedly encountered a man wielding a knife, threatening the life of the terrified woman. Officer Lazo, relying on his training, assessed the grave danger before them. In a split-second decision, he drew his weapon and fired with precision, striking the assailant in the chest and neutralizing the threat.
Despite the intense danger and chaos of the situation, the officers used their training and knowledge to remain composed – immediately transitioning to first-aid, ensuring that the victim and the suspect received proper medical attention.
This harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that officers face every day on the job. For their quick thinking, bravery and dedication, Officer Lazo and Officer Franco are being awarded with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
As they approached the house, they could hear a woman scream as she urgently called for help. Despite multiple attempts to get a response by knocking, they entered through an unlocked door and headed towards the source of the screams where they unexpectedly encountered a man wielding a knife, threatening the life of the terrified woman. Officer Lazo, relying on his training, assessed the grave danger before them. In a split-second decision, he drew his weapon and fired with precision, striking the assailant in the chest and neutralizing the threat.
Despite the intense danger and chaos of the situation, the officers used their training and knowledge to remain composed – immediately transitioning to first-aid, ensuring that the victim and the suspect received proper medical attention.
This harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that officers face every day on the job. For their quick thinking, bravery and dedication, Officer Lazo and Officer Franco are being awarded with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
On May 27, 2023, Officers John Rodriguez and his partner were tasked in a directed patrol assignment aimed at crime prevention. Responding to a stolen vehicle alert, the officers found themselves face to face with a dangerous situation at a local 7-Eleven – a possible robbery in progress.
Upon sight of the approaching officers, one of the suspects took off on foot and Officer John Rodriguez fearlessly pursued. With combined efforts of his fellow officers on foot and by vehicle, the officers cornered the fleeing suspect, who in a moment of panic, grabbed a hand gun from his crossbody bag and fired a shot. Fortunately, the only one harmed by the gunshot was the suspect himself. The officers did not hesitate to administer life-saving aid until help arrived. The discipline they portrayed resulted in no shots fired by the Police.
In the face of adversity, these officers proved that true heroes will always rise to the occasion. For their unmatched bravery, determination, and selfless service, Officers John Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez, Christian Estremera, Jaime Ferreira, and Kellan Moran are being awarded with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor. Their unwavering commitment to keeping their community safe serves as a shining example of the courage and dedication that defines law enforcement
Upon sight of the approaching officers, one of the suspects took off on foot and Officer John Rodriguez fearlessly pursued. With combined efforts of his fellow officers on foot and by vehicle, the officers cornered the fleeing suspect, who in a moment of panic, grabbed a hand gun from his crossbody bag and fired a shot. Fortunately, the only one harmed by the gunshot was the suspect himself. The officers did not hesitate to administer life-saving aid until help arrived. The discipline they portrayed resulted in no shots fired by the Police.
In the face of adversity, these officers proved that true heroes will always rise to the occasion. For their unmatched bravery, determination, and selfless service, Officers John Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez, Christian Estremera, Jaime Ferreira, and Kellan Moran are being awarded with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor. Their unwavering commitment to keeping their community safe serves as a shining example of the courage and dedication that defines law enforcement
On November 28, 2023, Garwood Police Headquarters received a 911 call from an individual reporting an unspecified medical emergency. The caller, sounding disoriented, abuptly hung up.
Being that the caller had contacted Garwood Police several times for various medical issues in the previous hours, Patrolman Pridy and Patrolman Sanchez were dispatched to the scene to conduct a welfare check.
Arriving at the door to the apartment and hearing no response from inside, Sergeant Wright was called in for backup. Together, they made the decision to breach the door to check on the individual in distress.
The officers were met with a harrowing sight - a man standing on the edge of his third-story balcony with a cable tied around his neck, seconds from taking a fatal leap. As the officers approached, the distressed man jumped over the railing. Patrolman Pridy, Patrolman Sanchez, and Sergeant Wright managed to grasp the man just in time – putting themselves at risk of being pulled over the railing – and successfully pulling the dis-tressed man back to safety.
The Two Hundred Club is recognizing Patrolman Pridy, Patrolman Sanchez, and Sergeant Wright for their unwavering dedication to protecting and serving our community with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
Being that the caller had contacted Garwood Police several times for various medical issues in the previous hours, Patrolman Pridy and Patrolman Sanchez were dispatched to the scene to conduct a welfare check.
Arriving at the door to the apartment and hearing no response from inside, Sergeant Wright was called in for backup. Together, they made the decision to breach the door to check on the individual in distress.
The officers were met with a harrowing sight - a man standing on the edge of his third-story balcony with a cable tied around his neck, seconds from taking a fatal leap. As the officers approached, the distressed man jumped over the railing. Patrolman Pridy, Patrolman Sanchez, and Sergeant Wright managed to grasp the man just in time – putting themselves at risk of being pulled over the railing – and successfully pulling the dis-tressed man back to safety.
The Two Hundred Club is recognizing Patrolman Pridy, Patrolman Sanchez, and Sergeant Wright for their unwavering dedication to protecting and serving our community with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
On March 29, 2023, Captain DeHart and Firefighter Mendoza-Ryals of The Union Town-ship Fire Department were called to a blazing fire in a three-story mixed-use building. Without hesitation, they rushed into the building with a charged line, ready to combat the flames.
As they navigated through a smoke-filled apartment, they discovered a victim lying on the kitchen floor, unconscious but still breathing. Despite the danger surrounding them, Captain DeHart and Firefighter Mendoza called for backup to contain the fire and shifted all of their focus to rescuing the trapped victim. Thanks to their quick thinking and unwavering bravery, the victim was saved and eventually made a full recovery.
For their fearless resolve and extraordinary bravery in the face of danger, Captain DeHart and Firefighter Mendoza-Ryals are receiving The Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.
As they navigated through a smoke-filled apartment, they discovered a victim lying on the kitchen floor, unconscious but still breathing. Despite the danger surrounding them, Captain DeHart and Firefighter Mendoza called for backup to contain the fire and shifted all of their focus to rescuing the trapped victim. Thanks to their quick thinking and unwavering bravery, the victim was saved and eventually made a full recovery.
For their fearless resolve and extraordinary bravery in the face of danger, Captain DeHart and Firefighter Mendoza-Ryals are receiving The Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor.