Lifesaving Moves, Drug Arrests, Other Actions Cited in Bernards Police Awards

Bernards Township Police Chief Brian Bobowicz cited examples of exemplary police work during the annual police awards ceremony held this week before the Township Committee, pointing to everything from decisions that saved lives, drug arrests and — inarguably — the massive response to Superstorm Sandy that left roads blocked and virtually all of the township without power.

Although he named two officers as his own "chief's choice" for awards, Bobowicz said the entire department, working in tandem with elected officials and other township employees, took time away from their own families to respond to the needs of Bernards Township residents in the aftermath of Sandy.

He noted that one police sergeant had continued working after injuring his knee, and another got right back to work after a storm-related accident destroyed a police vehicle in which he was riding.

Bobowicz said every member of the police department, along with elected officials, township employees, volunteer organizations and other civialians showed a "selfless and tireless commitment" during and after the storm that struck last Oct. 29.

However, Bobowicz gave special notice to Lt. Mike Shimsky, who also serves as the township's emergency management coordinator, and Capt. Ed Byrnes, as serving right alongside him during the storm emergency and prolonged cleanup and power outage that followed.

Bobowicz told the Township Committee on Tuesday that while those two officers received his personal recognition, he said that the others had been nominated from within the department.

In handing out the awards, Bobowicz read out his narrative of why awards were being given to either individual or partnering officers, many of whom were at the ceremony with their families:

• On November 10, 2010, Patrol Officer Ray Gizienski was called to Long Hill Township to assist with the rescue of a contractor who had become pinned between a large truck and a tree. With rescue operations were underway, Long Hill was having difficulty locating resources to remove the tractor trailer with a quick enough response to save the victim. Gizienski conferred briefly with the Long Hill police supervisor and then called the owner of a heavy duty wrecker he knew was close by, according to the narrative read by Bobowicz. "His quick thinking in obtaining a unique resource to effect the rescue effort was integral to saving this patient’s life," the chief said.

• The police department awarded Sgt. Jon Burger the Educational Achievement Award for earning a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources from Seton Hall University. Burger graduated with honors in May 2011. Bobowicz said 80 percent of the township's officers have college degrees, and 50 percent have masters degrees.

• On May 12, 2011, Sgt. Scott Ward, Patrol Officer Michael Yeo and Patrol Officer Slawomir Zolnierowski responded to a call of a utility worker in the Society Hills complex who had collapsed, and showed no pulse or breathing. The officers initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administered shocks from an automated external defibrillator. A heartbeat was returned and the patient was admitted to the hospital, the chief said. "The officers performed their duties in an exemplary manner which resulted in one of the proudest moments of any officer’s career — saving a life," Bobowicz said.

• On May 17, 2011, Zolnierowski pulled over a vehicle for motor vehicle violations. Patrol officer Alex McKnight arrived to assist, and the both officers investigated and allegedly showed counterfeit goods in plain view, along with a hidden compartment. and their joint investigation established there were counterfeit goods in plain view. "Officer McKnight and Officer Zolnierowski seized 5.4 ounces of cocaine, 71 ecstasy tablets, 41 folds of heroin, a loaded handgun, and $2,800 cash proceeds from drug distribution, according to the chief. He said the police officers' efforts were responsible for "taking dangerous felons off the streets."

• On June 8, 2011, the Clinton Township Police reported an escapee had allegedly stolen a patrol car containing a rifle and shotgun, and a Clinton Township officer was pursuing the car along Route 287 north. Bernards Patrol Officer Gina Loschiavo located the stolen patrol car and joined the Clinton officer in the pursuit, Bobowicz said. The suspect lost control of the stolen patrol car and spun onto the median. Loschiavo stopped her patrol car near the police vehicle and ran to assist the Clinton Townshi officer. "The suspect attempted to continue driving and the Clinton Township officer discharged several rounds from his weapon disabling the vehicle. Gina and the Clinton Township officer then removed the suspect from the vehicle at gunpoint and took him into custody," Bobowicz said.

• On July 30, 2011, Patrol Officers Glen Amerman, Kevin Little and Ray Gizienski joined New Jersey State Police in a high-speed pursuit along Route 287. The three township officers, acting in concert, monitored the alleged violator’s position, controlled civilian traffic on the highway, and deployed a device that safely deflated the tire of the vehicle being pursued, which allowed that driver to be taken into custody. "Their teamwork and effective communication in a fast-paced incident ended the threat posed to motorists," Bobowicz said.

• During a motor vehicle stop, Patrol Officer Bill Seiple had stopped a vehicle, and with a reasonable suspicion that illegal drugs were within, allegedly discovered a concealed compartment in the vehicle where 317 bags of heroin were hidden, Bobowicz said. "He was able to determine the heroin was purchased in New York City for distribution in Reading Pa. Officer Seiple’s investigative skills furthered a routine motor vehicle stop into a significant heroin distribution arrest of two individuals," the chief said.

• On October 18, 2011, Kevin Little, Gina Loschiavo and Dave Martin responded to a call to check on a township resident and, upon arriving, found a suicidal man in a locked vehicle inside the garage. The vehicle’s engine was running and the man was unconscious behind the wheel, the chief said. The three officers entered the closed garage area, broke the vehicle’s window and removed the man from the garage. Once outside, they administered oxygen and first aid.  The officers entered a confined area filled with carbon monoxide, putting their safety at risk to save the resident, taking "immediate actions were critical to the patient’s survival," Bobowicz said.

• On October 25, 2011, an alert was transmitted from Tewksbury Township regarding a recent bank robbery. Earlier in the day, New Providence also had issued an alert for an attempted bank robbery. Detective Bill Seiple and Patrol Officer Chris Albanese estimated the travel time from the Tewksbury location and began scanning traffic Route 78. Having just a cursory description of the suspected robber and vehicle, they were able to identify and stop a suspected robber, Bobowicz said. Although Tewksbury police indicated the suspected robber drove a different make vehicle, the Bernards officers' observations and questioning led them to investigate further, Bobowicz said. He said that the man stopped allegedly had attempted to rob a bank in New Providence, and was also accused of robbing a bank in Tewksbury. Cash was recovered during the arrest, and the FBI later linked the suspect to a series of bank robberies in Pennsylvania, Bobowicz said.

• On December 28, 2011, Seiple stopped a vehicle as it was leaving the King George Exxon and questioned the three occupants. The officer reported that the three occupants displayed symptoms of recent opiate use, and 43 bags of heroin were seized, Bobowicz said. The occupants allegedly admitted that they had just purchased a brick of heroin in Newark, he said. "All three individuals were charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute," Bobowicz said. Seiple’s stop and further investigation led to the arrest of three "career criminals" and the seizure of a "substantial" amount of heroin, Bobowicz said.

• On January 5, 2012, Officer Zolnierowski stopped a vehicle occupied by two men for an alleged motor vehicle violation on Interstate 78 westbound. Bobowicz said the officer reportedly recovered 100 grams of cocaine concealed on one of the men and after further searching, allegedly found another 184 grams of cocaine and $1,420 cash in drug proceeds. Both men stopped were charged with first degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Bobowicz said. "This was a significant arrest of two repeat offenders and a substantial seizure of heroin and cash proceeds resulting from criminal activity," Bobowicz said.

• On January 17, 2012, Patrol Officer Dave Martin developed a lead through an arrest he had made on that morning that identified an individual allegedly selling large quantities of heroin in Somerset County. Sgt Mark Leopold along with Detective Tim King and Martin, quickly developed organized a buy and bust operation of the accused dealer within six hours, Bobowicz said. "They were able to set up a controlled buy of 43 folds of heroin and successfully arrested the suspect in Bernards Township.  They worked diligently and quickly developed a complex investigation resulting in two arrests for heroin distribution," Bobowicz said.

• On January 18, 2012, after stopping a vehicle with four men inside, Officer Chris Baxter reportedly noted suspicious behavior as the men provided an unlikely story regarding their travel plans. With backup officers present, Baxter identified and questioned each occupant before arresting one man for outstanding warrants. All four men allegedly were members of the Latin Kings street gang known for stealing high end autos as well as violence, Bobowicz said. He said four luxury cars had been stolen from Bernards Township residents in the months prior to the stop. Baxter’s investigation yielded additional criminal intelligence, and all four men were subsequently arrested for auto theft, the chief said.

• On January 29, 2012, officers Ward, Baxter and Albanese answered a call for a 78-year-old man who had collapsed in his home. The patient was found with no pulse and was not breathing. CPR was initiated and an AED was used to administer shocks, Bobowicz said. A heartbeat and breathing were revived and the patient eventually returned home, after his life had been saved, Bobowicz said.

• On March 17, 2012, Zolnierowski stopped a vehicle on Martinsville Road for motor vehicle violations and reportedly saw a bag containing apparent burglary tools and stolen items. When questioned, the driver, with two other occupants inside, allegedly sped away. Burger joined Zolnierowski in a high-speed pursuit which ended with the pursued vehicle crashing after exiting in Warren Township. Burger and Zolnierowski, assisted by officers from surrounding towns, arrested two of the men after a brief foot chase, Bobowicz said. The driver was arrested several days later, he said. According to Bobowicz, an investigation revealed the three men allegedly had committed a burglary in Warren Township minutes before the stop, and were members of an organized burglary ring that operated in Bernards Township and surrounding communities.

• The township's detectives, including Leopold, Seiple, and Patrol Officers Jon Neiman and Mark Neri, were awarded the Unit Citation Medal for their contributions to the detective bureau’s investigation of a reported marijuana growing operation. On June 21, 2012, marijuana had been discovered in a remote wooded section of Mountain Park, Bobowicz said, and detectives maintained a surveillance in the early morning hours over the course of the next three weeks. Long hours of surveillance and investigation led to a search warrant at a nearby resident's home, resulting in a charge of second degree manufacturing marijuana.

• On March 26, 2013, Bobowicz said that McKnight, while backing up Bobowicz on a motor vehicle stop, displayed "keen observations" in suspecting the vehicle contained illegal drugs. "Your investigation led you to discover and seize 250 bags of heroin and a small amount of marijuana," Bobowicz said.