Clark Police Officers Receive Awards for Lifesaving, Heroism, Detective Work

Clark's annual police awards were held at Tuesday's Clark Council meeting. Here, a list of this year's honorees:

Platoon Award (Case #12-14247)
Det.DeAquino, Det. Shackleton, Det. Merfert, Det. Buczynski,
Det. Marmarou, Ptlm. Venezio, Ptlm. Sarnecki, Lt. Pollock and Disp. Deluca
On May 22, 2012, members of the Clark Police Dept. responded to a Carolina Street residence on a report of a burglary in progress. Due to thorough communications from Headquarters and a quick response, the officers were able to effectively set up a perimeter of the area. With the area secured and eyewitnesses providing detailed descriptions, the fleeing suspects were quickly apprehended and charged with burglary.

Platoon Award (Case #12-30552)
Det. Shackleton, Ptlm.Chris Tuccio, Ptlm. Joseph Mirabile, Ptlm. Thomas
Sarnecki
On November 6, 2012, Headquarters broadcast an alert that the Woodbridge Police were actively involved in a foot pursuit of a carjacking suspect who was heading towards Clark. Ptlm. Thomas Sarnecki and Ptlm. Joseph Mirabile immediately responded to the area of State Street and conducted searches of the yards. The suspect saw the officers and fled across the Garden State Parkway causing risk to both officers who were now in foot pursuit. Ptlm.Sarnecki was able to provide an accurate description of the suspect and several minutes later Det. Shackleton and Ptlm.Tuccio apprehended the suspect in a wooded area adjacent to the Garden State Parkway.

Life Saving Award (Case #11-21572)
Ptlm. Chris Tuccio, Ptlm. Brian Renda
On August 26, 2011, Ptlm. Brian Renda and Ptlm. Chris Tuccio performed rescue breathing on an unresponsive female who was suffering from a heroin overdose. The officers continued rescue breathing until the female was able to breathe on her own.

Life Saving Award Case #11-30177
Ptlm. Chris Tuccio, Ptlm. Keith Meehan
On November 24,2011, Ptlm. Chris Tuccio and Ptlm. Keith Meehan performed rescue breathing on an unresponsive male who was suffering from a heroin overdose. The officers continued rescue breathing until the male was able to breathe on his own.

Honorable Mention Award Case #12-08992
Ptlm. Christopher Tuccio
While off duty on 3/30/12, Ptlm. Tuccio observed an individual that he recognized as having a Clark warrant for possession of a handgun. Ptlm. Tuccio contacted Headquarters and learned that all Clark police units were tied up on other calls. Ptlm. Tuccio contacted Det. Manata, who was available. Ptlm. Tuccio continued to watch the suspect until Det. Manata was able to conduct a motor vehicle stop of the suspect which ultimately led to his arrest.

Distinguished Service Award (Case #12-10676)
Det. George Marmarou
OnApril 16, 2012, Det. Marmarou was assigned an investigation into the unlawful use of credit cards. During the investigation, Det. Marmarou observed a gas station’s surveillance footage showing the suspect and her vehicle at the time of an unauthorized purchase. Det. Marmarou identified the vehicle as a maroon Ford Taurus and estimated the model year to be between 2004 and 2007. Using police department resources,Det.Marmarou was able to get a compiled list of 31,100 Ford Taurus’ that were registered in New Jersey. Through his investigative skills and due diligence, Det. Marmarou was able to narrow his search and develop a suspect. Det. Marmarou matched the suspect’s driver's license photo to the surveillance video footage. The suspect was identified and later charged with theft and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Honorable Service Award (Case #12-33858)
Ptlm. Ricardo Oliveira
On December 11, 2012, Ptlm. Oliveira initiated a motor vehicle stop for numerous equipment and moving violations. During the course of the stop, Ptlm. Oliveira detected an odor of raw marijuana emanating from the car. Ptlm. Oliveira removed the driver from the car and noticed that he kept trying to get back into the car and close to Ptlm. Oliveira. Through his investigative skills and sound police practices, Ptlm. Oliveira was able to locate the marijuana and a loaded handgun from underneath the driver's side seat. Due to his excellent police work, Ptlm. Oliveira was able to prevent a potentially fatal motor vehicle stop and remove a loaded handgun from the street.

Distinguished Service Award (Case #12-05357)
Det. Antonio Manata
On February 22, 2012, Det. Manata observed a suspicious vehicle on Tanglewood Terrace, and as he approached the vehicle it sped off in an attempt to elude apprehension. Det. Manata pursued the vehicle through Clark, Colonia and Rahway. The suspect vehicle, later identified as stolen, was then involved in an accident in Rahway at which time Det. Manata was able to apprehend three suspects at the scene.

Honorable Service Award (Case #12-34757)
Det.Antonio Manata
On December 12, 2012, Det. Manata initiated a motor vehicle stop.
Det. Manata's investigative skills and initiative in going beyond the equipment violation ultimately led to the arrest of four suspects (one who was a wanted felon out of New York) for possession of a firearm and took a weapon off of the streets.