On May 5, 2016, The Two Hundred Club of Essex celebrated its 50th Anniversary…50 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 Nanina’s In The Park in Belleville, NJ 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 twenty-nine 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 Maysa Washington, 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.
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 2015 was another costly year in terms of lives lost by brave law enforcement officers and courageous firefighters. Representing public safety departments across our nation, 128 law enforcement officers and 87 firefighters died in the line of duty.
Sheriff Fontoura went on to say that while Essex County was spared our New Jersey neighbors were not as fortunate. New Jersey State Police Trooper Anthon Raspa was on patrol on 1-95 on May 30, 2015 when his marked cruiser struck a deer, causing the vehicle to crash into a tree; Trooper Eli McCarson was responding to a domestic violence call on December 17th when he lost control of his cruiser during a heavy rainstorm and crashed into a utility pole; Trooper Sean Cullen had responded to a vehicle fire with injuries on I-295 on March 8, 2016 when he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. Paramus Firefighter Sean Benson on September 23rd, South Amboy Fire Police Officer Ed “Bear” Celecki on October 14th and Keasby Fire Deputy Chief Tom Koralick on November 11th all suffered heart attacks immediately after responding to residential fires.
Sheriff Fontoura asked the audience to take a look at the Honor Roll page in the luncheon program to see that in Essex County 87 brave police officers and courageous firefighters have made the supreme sacrifice on our behalf. He said “these valiant officers and firefighters hold a special place in our hearts and in the hearts of the people they served. We mourn their untimely deaths.” Sheriff Fontoura then asked everyone to bow their heads and offer a moment of silent prayer as we reflect and remember all fallen police officers and firefighters.
The Two Hundred Club of Essex County was honored to have John J. Miller, Deputy Commissioner for the NYPD’s Division of Intelligence and Counterterrorism as its guest speaker. Dep. Comm. Miller addressed the role of First Responders being trained and equipped for domestic terrorist threats from ‘lone wolf’ attackers. He also praised law enforcement officers and firefighters for their unique bravery in dealing with life-threatening incidents and during life-saving events.
The Two Hundred Club of Essex County presented its John P. McLaughlin Award for outstanding service and duty to Arthur S. Guida, former 200 Club President and former Director of External Affairs for PSE&G.
Mr. Guida served as President for the Two Hundred Club of Essex County for 10 years. Where he expanded the Club’s Board of Trustees to better reflect the community it serves and spearheaded initiatives to increase scholarship stipends for the children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Mr. Guida served The 200 Club of Essex County long and well with distinction and dedication. The Two Hundred Club of Essex County was honored to present its John P. McLaughlin Award to Mr. Arthur S. Guida.
Reverend Monsignor Christopher J. Hynes, Assistant to the Archbishop for Public Affairs, Archdiocese of Newark, graciously provided a warm and inspirational Invocation and Benediction.
In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Nanina’s In The Park and to the following organizations for their participation as 2016 Corporate Luncheon Sponsors:
- ASEABRA FOODS I, LLC
- BEST WAY ELECTRIC COMPANY INC.
- COX PRINTERS
- DAVID I. FOX, ESQ.
- ESSEX COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION
- ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, SHERIFF ARMANDO B. FONTOURA
- GATEWAY GROUP ONE
- INVESTORS BANK
- LISBON CLEANING INC.
- LUSO GLASS CO.
- NANINA’S IN THE PARK
- NFS ASSOCIATES, INC.
- PSE&G
- PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC.
- SPIRIT DELIVERY & DISTRIBUTION SERVICES INC.
- TOKASH ENTERPRISES, INC. T/A DEAN’S GREENS
- VERICON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
- VERIZON
2016 Public Safety Valor Award Winners
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
Detective Eric Manns
Detective Carlos Olmo
Detective Kenneth Poggi
Essex County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Abdullah Holmes
Irvington Police Department
Patrolman Edward Pearce
New Jersey Institute of Technology Police Department
Sergeant Antoine Hughes
New Jersey State Police
Detective II Anthony Giunta
Trooper Blazej Oczkos
Detective II Edward Schmalz
Newark Police Division
Detective Ana Colon
Detective Glen Calderon
Detective Juan Ramos
Sergeant Matthew Ruane
Detective Tyrell Wheeler
Detective Wyhidi Wilson
South Orange Police Department
Detective Steven A. Davenport
Captain Kyle Kroll
Newark Fire Division
Firefighter Michael Bellina
Firefighter Tony DeFeo
Firefighter Carlo Dello Russo
Captain Frank Fonseca
Captain Mark Furka
Firefighter Raymond Hatton
Firefighter Carlos Henriques
Firefighter Derek Hunter
Captain Delfin Ortiz
Captain Carl Wendt
North Caldwell Fire Department
Firefighter David Hicock
Lieutenant Lee Sutherlin