By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
During National Police Week, an annual event dedicated to not only honor America’s law enforcement community, but also remember those officers that lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others, the Pennsauken Police Department held a special awards ceremony to recognize the courageous men and women who go above and beyond to protect and serve the Pennsauken community.
“I always like this night, because it gives us the opportunity to talk about some of the good work that not only the members of the police department have done in the previous year, but also some of the outstanding efforts that citizens and other employees of the Township have also given to help the police,” says Captain Thomas Connor. He went on to say that the awards ceremony also allowed the Pennsauken Police Department a chance to memorialize the Township’s three officers who lost their lives in the line of duty: Richard Dawson, George Bowman and William Brey. “It’s a very important time for us.”
The awards ceremony began with a unit citation given to the former members of the department’s communications operations, in recognition and appreciation of their past service provided to both Pennsauken’s residents and police officers. Those honored were Kathy Lacovara, Heather Richards, Larry Holtz, William Rosario, William Stow, David Robey, and James DePasquale.
The police also recognized the actions of citizens that assist the police in making the Pennsauken community safer. This year, the Pennsauken Police honored Arianna Rivera, Brian Anderson, Kyle Frazier, Stephen Robinson, and Gabrielle Robinson.
The Richard Dawson Award for Meritorious Service annually honors officers that demonstrate exemplary performance of duty. The 2015 recipients are Detective Ken Nelson, Detective Brian Polaski, Officer Michael Biazzo, Officer Michael Killion, Officer Jody Pasquale, Officer Joe Hurley, Officer Juan Rivera, Officer Todd Goschler, Officer Brian May, Officer Louis Belsito, Officer Mark Bristow, and Officer Yvette Truitt.
The George Bowman Memorial Award for Dedication and Professionalism is given annually to the officer who best exemplifies the dedication to police service demonstrated by Officer Bowman; this year’s recipient was Officer Craig Adair.
The Police Officer of the Year Award is given to a Pennsauken Police officer whose performance and dedication to his or her profession and character serves as an example to their fellow officers and brings credit to the agency. Candidates for this award are submitted by police supervisors and then voted on by the Pennsauken Police rank and file. This year’s Police Officer of the Year is Officer Raymond Gilbert.
In addition to the awards presented by the Pennsauken Police Department, Officer Steven Reese, who recently completed the challenging and highly-competitive Police Leadership and Supervision School at the Gloucester County Police Academy, received recognition by the academy for having the highest score in his class.
At the end of the awards ceremony, Pennsauken Police Chief John Coffey took a moment to thank everyone for attending. He went on to explain that the officers being recognized were very much indicative of each officer on Pennsauken’s police force.
“This is just a small sampling of what goes on every day. We appreciate all our officers,” says Coffey. “We are a very service-oriented police department. I think our residents have confidence in us that we’re going to do a good job all the time. They should feel safe, living in this town.”
