On May 7th, 2015, The Two Hundred Club of Essex celebrated 49 years of dedicated service to the dependents of police and Firefighters in Essex County and state troopers in New Jersey who lose their lives in the line of duty. The Club celebrated this milestone at its Annual Valor Awards luncheon at Mayfair Farms in West Orange with an extensive program. As you know, the purpose of this luncheon is, and has always been, to honor our police officers and Firefighters of Essex County, who demonstrate exceptional courage and fortitude while performing their duties throughout the year. This year, we were grateful to acknowledge forty individuals who exemplified outstanding on-the-job performances. Our luncheon began with the Newark Firefighters Pipe Band leading in this year’s Valor Award recipients. Lori A. Hennon-Bell, Vice President & Chief Security Officer/Global Security, Prudential Financial and President of the Two Hundred Club, gave a warm welcome and introduced Newark Police Detective Vanessa Davis, who afforded the luncheon guests with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Ms. Hennon-Bell continued her welcome message and inspired us with an encouraging overview of the Club’s achievements and its future goals. The Invocation, which was delivered by Reverend Monsignor Christopher J. Hynes, Assistant to the Archbishop for Public Affairs, Archdiocese of Newark, was uplifting to all of us. As our program continued we were able to receive words from Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, Honorary Trustee/Executive Committee Member of the Two Hundred Club, who saluted our finest and bravest. Sheriff Fontoura proceeded to inform the audience that 2014 was another costly year in terms of lives lost by brave law enforcement officers and courageous firefighters. Representing public safety departments across our nation, 127 law enforcement officers and 87 firefighters died in 2014 while performing their duties and protecting those they had sworn to serve. Sheriff Fontoura went on to say that neither Essex County nor our New Jersey neighbors were spared from public safety fatalities. Newark Officer Reinaldo Arocha, Jr. suffered a fatal heart attack after subduing an emotionally disturbed person on September 16, 2014; Jersey City Detective Melvin Santiago was shot and killed during his response to an armed robbery on July 13, 2014; Officers with the Cliffside Park and Waldwick police, and an Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office lost their lives in the line of duty. Firefighters from the Jersey City, Union Beach, Cinnaminson, Byran Township, Somerville fire departments and the Fire Coordinator for Cape May County also made the supreme sacrifice. With the death of Officer Arocha the list of names on the Essex County Honor Roll increases to 87 police officers and firefighters who gave their all for us. Sheriff Fontoura said “All of these valiant officers and firefighters who were killed performing their duty in 2014 and those whose names grace our Honor Role hold a special place in our hearts and in the hearts of the people they served. We mourn their untimely deaths and we celebrate their heroic lives and the magnificent contributions to make our communities safer and more secure.” He then asked everyone to stand and offer a moment of silence prayer as we remember our fallen police officers and firefighters. The Two Hundred Club of Essex County was honored to have Former NY Giants Super Bowl Champion Bart S. Oates, Esq. as its guest speaker. Rev. Joe A. Carter, Pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church was gracious to provide us with a warm and inspirational Benediction. In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the following organizations for their participation as 2015 Corporate Luncheon Sponsors:
ASSOCIATED TECHNOLOGY, INC. (ATI ENGINEERS) CAW, LLC COX PRINTERS ENTERPRISE BANK ESSEX COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, SHERIFF ARMANDO B. FONTOURA DAVID I. FOX, ESQ. GATEWAY GROUP ONE HAAS ASSOCIATES, P.C. HOLLISTER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IMAGE ONE INDUSTRIES INVESTORS BANK LANYI & TEVALD, INC. LISBON CLEANING INC. MANZO DOREN ORGANIZATION MASTER ELECTRIC SERVICE & MAINTENANCE CORP. MAYFAIR FARMS MEYER & DEPEW COMPANY NFS ASSOCIATES, INC. PSE&G PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC. RED HAWK FIRE & SECURITY LLC RED ROCK CONSTRUCTION CO. INC. SANTOS BAKERY SPIRIT DELIVERY & DISTRIBUTION VERICON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC VERIZON
2015 PUBLIC SAFETY VALOR AWARD WINNERS
