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.
Cranford Police Department
Officers Honored for Courageous Response to Armed Robbery Suspect
December 28, 2023
On the night of December 28, 2023, 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 initiated 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 confronted the threat head-on putting 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 |
Elizabeth Police Department
Officers Honored for Heroic Intervention in Violent Home Invasion
July 29, 2023
On July 29, 2023, Officers Steven Lazo and Walter Franco responded to a call for an unwanted guest at a residence house. Upon arrival, the officers heard a woman screaming inside the house. Despite announcing their presence, they received no response and entered the unlocked front door.
Inside, they found a woman being attacked and stabbed by a man wielding a knife. The man had the knife in hand and was about to swing and stab the woman once more. Understanding the severety of the situation, Officer Lazo quickly drew his firearm and shot the suspect in the chest saving the woman’s life. The officers provided life-saving first aid to the suspect and called for an ambulance. Their quick thinking and bravery saved the woman’s life. Body-worn camera footage showed the severity of the situation and confirmed the officers’ heroic efforts in saving the woman. The officers’ actions demonstrate their dedication and exceptional police instincts. 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. |
Elizabeth Police Department
Officers Honored for Heroic Actions in 7-Eleven Standoff
May 27, 2023
On May 27, 2023, Officer John Rodriguez was patrolling the uptown area of Elizabeth when he and his partner noticed a recently stolen vehicle parked in the 7-Eleven parking lot. The vehicle, the only one in the lot, was unoccupied. Inside the store, they observed two males and one female, one of the males wearing a black ski mask. Despite the mild 60-degree weather, both males were wearing jackets, hooded sweatshirts, and gloves.
As the officers approached the store, the males became wide-eyed and stiffened their bodies, and immediately tried to exit the store. As one male walked past, the officers attempted to detain him. The suspect proceeded to take off on foot towards Morris Avenue and Officer J. Rodriguez gave chase, yelling commands for him to stop. At this time, Officer Luis Rodriguez, Officer Christian Estremera, Officer Jaime Ferreira, and Officer Kellan Moran arrived to assist in the foot chase. The chase continued as the suspect sprinted down the rear parking lot of a Morris Avenue address while manipulating his cross-body bag. Officer Ferreira and Moran approached the suspect by car while Officers Luis Rodriguez, John Rodriguez, and Christian Estremera continued their pursuit running directly behind the suspect. While in motion, the suspect pulled out a semi-automatic handgun from his cross body bag, and fired a shot a foot away from Ferreira and Moran’s vehicle. The fired round wound up hitting the suspect himself. Without hesitation, the Officers began administering life-saving procedures on the suspect until medical help arrived on the scene. The above-listed officers are being commended for their keen observation skills, proactive approach to policing, investigative abilities, and resiliency. Due to their alert observations, they located a stolen car and three individuals linked to criminal activity. The discipline they portrayed while a fleeing suspect pulled a handgun from his cross-body bag, feet away from them, and appearing to aim towards their direction resulted in no shots fired by the police. Even after a round went off from the suspect’s gun in front of them, they were not deterred from their duties. They immediately assessed the suspect and began resuscitative measures to keep the suspect alive. For their unmatched bravery, determination, and selfless service, Officers John Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez, Christian Estremera, Jaime Ferreira, and Kellan Moran are being awarded 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. |
Garwood Police Department
Officers Honored for Heroic Rescue
November 28, 2023
On November 28, 2023, Garwood Police Headquarters received a 911 call from an individual reporting an unspecified medical emergency. The caller, sounding disoriented, abruptly 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 distressed man back to safety. The Two Hundred Club is recognizing Patrolman Pridy, Patrolman Sanchez, and Sergeant Wright for their dedication to protecting and serving our community with the Two Hundred Club of Union County Medal of Valor. |
Township of Union Fire Department
Firefighters Honored for Heroic Rescue in Three-Alarm Blaze
March 29, 2023
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 to rescue a vicim trapped in the fire. Without hesitation, they rushed into the building with a charged line, ready to combat the flames. The conditions were terrible, but they located the apartment and burst through the door.
As they navigated through the smoke-filled apartment, they discovered the victim lying on the kitchen floor, unconscious but still breathing. Despite the immense 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. |