Officers honored for bravery by The 200 Club of Bergen County

[recondo82]

This forum, for LEOs, has seemed to turn into a forum to display the bad behavior that some LEOs exhibit. It seems appropriate to recognize some of the outstanding behavior that they exhibit, as well.

Friday, 06 May 2011 17:55 Jerry DeMarco
A car with two fleeing occupants had just knocked down Fair Lawn Police Officer Kenneth Cavanaugh when the driver accelerated straight for Sgt. Michael Messina. The car sent Messina flying, but not before he squeezed off two well-aimed shots into the hood. For their bravery, both officers were honored by the 200 Club this week.

Messina, Cavanaugh, flanked by brother officers

(CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM PHOTO)

“We see members of the public safety community put themselves in harm’s way every day,” Fair Lawn Police Officer and PBA Executive Board Member Michael O'Brien told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. "Kenny and Mike exemplify the true meaning of honor, courage and service to others without regard for their own safety.”

The 200 Club also gave its top honor, the 2011 Valor Award, to Paramus Police Officers Rachel Morgan, who was shot by a fleeing suspect this year, and Ryan Hayo, who came to her rescue. (SEE: Officer publicly thanks friends, family -- and her hero)

"Bravery is its own great reward,” Fair Lawn Detective and PBA President David Boone told more than 600 people gathered at the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck for The 200 Club of Bergen County's 25th annual awards luncheon.. “But recognition helps us realize its full magnitude and sacrifice."

Morgan, Hayo

---

Besides the Paramus and Fair Lawn officers, more than a dozen others received awards from The 200 Club. They include:

Carlstadt Patrol Officers John Sanzari and Dominick Parillo, who grabbed a pair of thieves during a gunpoint warehouse robbery, one of whom broke Parillo’s jaw. Thanks to the two suspects, investigators uncovered a ring headed by a group of New York City police officers, both retired and on the job. All were federally prosecuted. (SEE: CLIFFVIEW PILOT COVERAGE)

East Rutherford Police Officer Kevn Felten, who was burned and sustained smoke inhalation in rescuing a resident about to jump from the third floor of a burning building.

Fort Lee Police Lt. Patrick Kissane and Detective Philip Ross, who grabbed a suicidal 13-year-old boy before he could jump from a 32-story high-rise.

Hackensack Deputy Fire Chief Fred Longobardi, Police Lt. Richard Katz and firefighter Michael Oates, who pulled a man from a burning vehicle.

Hackensack Police Detective John Dalton, who found two men carrying a pair of handguns -- one with dried blood on it, the other fully loaded -- during a motor vehicle stop.

New Jersey State Trooper Joshua Coppola, EMTs Gregory Foley and David Kaczor and MICPs Sean Scott and William Werner of Hackensack University Medical Center, who saved the life of a New York police officer whose jugular vein and corotid artery were severed by an object that hurtled through the windshield of his car on Route 80.

Northvale Police Chief Vincent St. Angelo and Police Officer Michael Graham, who rescued four family members from a house in which deadly levels of carbon monoxide had escaped.

Retired Palisades Park Fire Chief Thomas Cusker, who received the John R. Rinaldi Award for his "outstanding service and dedication” to his department and the Bergen County Fire Chiefs Association.

South Hackensack Police Officer Peter Bongiovanni (now with the county police) and Little Ferry Patrol Officer John Clark, who evacuated a burning spa on Route 46, getting all employees and patrons out safely. (SEE: CLIFFVIEW PILOT COVERAGE)

Teaneck Police Sgt. Scott Tesser, who snatched a pair of scissors from a suicidal pregnant woman so other officers could grab hold of her and have her hospitalized.

http://www.cliffviewpilot.com/bergen...-bergen-county

[IEDmagnet]

Outstanding. Thanks Scott. In a time where more people would kill us than wave (looking for an asshole that tried to kill an officer in our area within the last few days), I appreciate some good news about us.

[LadyDoc]

Unfortunately there isn't enough good news out there. Not that there aren't a majority of great cops, but the bad always makes better headlines.

[mphellon]

Couldn't pay me enough money to be a LEO, too many restraints. Hat's off to the fine LEO's doing a thankless job everyday protecting the public's safety.

[VoTrooper99]

Two days...three replies, and one is a cop. Sounds about right.

Post something that even alludes to the appearance of impropriety. You'll get three pages.

[CharliePC]

Methinks LE service is akin to military service.
It is understood and appreciated most by those who share the sacrifice of service.
It's a tough, shitty, thankless job risking your life to put dirtbags away... I'm glad someone does it.

BTW, if you want to generate responses, make a joke about man-love.
That'll get a topic going-

[Gato Rojo]

Well, I'm not a LEO, but I appreciate having them/you around. I haven't joined in any of the discussion about rogue cops because I don't see incidents of individual cops misbehaving to be anything remarkable in and of itself. Cops are humans, and humans come in a wide variety.

I do think that discussion of misbehavior is not out of line, however, and I don't think that the LEOs in this brotherhood are being tarred with the same brush used on the misbehaving ones. I also think (that's my story, anyway; and I'm stickin' to it) that some of our brother LEOs are hypersensitive about this, and take it personally when, upon sober reflection, the discussions are in fact, not aimed at anyone here and such reactions are out of place.

LEOs have a unique place in a free society such as ours, they get to walk around with a gun and other weapons on their hip, and they have the state-granted authority to bring a lot of grief upon a citizen, and when they misuse that awesome power, IN A FREE SOCIETY such as ours, it's natural to expect some pretty serious objections to it by the GAP (Great American Public), including members of the Paratrooper brotherhood. Don't take it personally; it never is meant that way here on this forum.

I would suggest, rather, that the appropriate response of a LEO to such misbehavior, would be outrage at the LEO who was bringing shame and discredit upon the brotherhood of LEOs.

But maybe that's just me. I dunno, what do you think?

[VoTrooper99]

Well, I'm not a LEO, but I appreciate having them/you around. I haven't joined in any of the discussion about rogue cops because I don't see incidents of individual cops misbehaving to be anything remarkable in and of itself. Cops are humans, and humans come in a wide variety.

I do think that discussion of misbehavior is not out of line, however, and I don't think that the LEOs in this brotherhood are being tarred with the same brush used on the misbehaving ones. I also think (that's my story, anyway; and I'm stickin' to it) that some of our brother LEOs are hypersensitive about this, and take it personally when, upon sober reflection, the discussions are in fact, not aimed at anyone here and such reactions are out of place.

LEOs have a unique place in a free society such as ours, they get to walk around with a gun and other weapons on their hip, and they have the state-granted authority to bring a lot of grief upon a citizen, and when they misuse that awesome power, IN A FREE SOCIETY such as ours, it's natural to expect some pretty serious objections to it by the GAP (Great American Public), including members of the Paratrooper brotherhood. Don't take it personally; it never is meant that way here on this forum.

I would suggest, rather, that the appropriate response of a LEO to such misbehavior, would be outrage at the LEO who was bringing shame and discredit upon the brotherhood of LEOs.

But maybe that's just me. I dunno, what do you think?

And if said members could bring their grievance in such a manner as you have, I doubt there would be a problem. The problem is that some members have chosen to bring their grievance by advocating and/or revelling in the murder of police as a result of the actions of a few at one extreme, and casting a shadow upon all officers at the other.

Bad cops piss me off, but cop killers piss me off more. Therein lies the difference. I don't walk into a call with an customer service rep (or any other profession) as one of the involved parties and assume he's an asshole because the last one I dealt with was. It doesn't even come up. I only ask the same courtesy in return.

Is that too much to ask? The negative cop stories get pages of attention around here. The good ones get two non-LEO responses in two days. CONSISTENTLY. Is that hyper-sensitivity or a solid observation of attitudes towards law enforcement? What say you?

[Bell]

I work with the constable of this city. I'm friends with a Texas DPS Officer. I've drank beer with the Game Warden. Not one of them will defend an idiot or a botchy operation. We've had talks about citizens versus cops and they love my input.

All of them agree, especially the Constable because that's an elected position, they have to pay close attention to their attitude toward citizens. Because most of the asshats they meet are low life, belligerent, ignorant idiots that have no respect for the law so their attitudes get skewed a little. They have a tendency to start looking at everyone like that. So, they all make extra effort to treat everyone with respect and fairness whether that person deserves it or not.

Jeeze guys, when everyone you meet all day long is a scumbag it has to affect your attitude toward others. That's where the argument begins. Attitude toward citizens. Some LE can handle it. Others are bullying asshats themselves.

I don't envy your jobs. I do appreciate what you do.

[Gato Rojo]

And if said members could bring their grievance in such a manner as you have, I doubt there would be a problem. The problem is that some members have chosen to bring their grievance by advocating and/or revelling in the murder of police as a result of the actions of a few at one extreme, and casting a shadow upon all officers at the other.

Bad cops piss me off, but cop killers piss me off more. Therein lies the difference. I don't walk into a call with an customer service rep (or any other profession) as one of the involved parties and assume he's an asshole because the last one I dealt with was. It doesn't even come up. I only ask the same courtesy in return.

Is that too much to ask? The negative cop stories get pages of attention around here. The good ones get two non-LEO responses in two days. CONSISTENTLY. Is that hyper-sensitivity or a solid observation of attitudes towards law enforcement? What say you?

First, Brother Bell said it well, I agree with what he said.

But frankly, I don't recall seeing any post that would lead me to believe that anyone here advocates or revels in the thought of murdering a police officer. I would like to see a link to such if you have one handy. I'm not calling you out, I just haven't seen such, and would be interested in the context of the post if such can be found.

If you do find a bunch of these, I propose that they are from a very small number of posters, yet you seem to imply that the brotherhood in general is guilty of such an attitude. I certainly dispute that such is the case, at least from my limited reading of such threads, it's not and doesn't justify tarring us all with that brush.

And finally, yes frankly, I do think that your reaction is an example of hypersensitivity. I mean no disrespect to you when I say that, brother, but I think that you are being blind to the fact that human nature is to get worked-up over outrages committed by public servants; while good works of public workers are the standard expected from those public servants. Think about that. I'm sure that you've been around long enough to know the ageless wisdom that one fuck-up will always cancel out 10,000 attaboys; it's the same principle at work.

Good deeds usually go unrewarded but never go unpunished. It sucks, but that's the way life is.

And by the way, thank you for your service as a LEO.

[VoTrooper99]

Gatorojo, an example. I have seen others in the same vein as this, but I'd have to go looking. This one was recent, so it was easy to go straight here.

MY RANT:

Until America ends the no-knock law and starts again treating the citizens as people rather than suspects it will never again be free.

By having the police act as an army patrol is just plain wrong.

The anti-war lefties in the 60's had a saying it was, 'bring the war home.' Trouble is the government took it to heart and now treats everyone as though they are VC or AQ..
Or are the Police to chicken sh** to go up and just knock on the door to serve that piece of paper called a warrent.

If the Govt. wanted to really end all the stupid crap, then they would seal the southern border and make all drugs legal and taxable.

But there is too much money in it for the system...ie: local law enforcment, lawyers & judges, ICE, ATF, US Coast Guard and on and on

Hell even the State's National Guard can and will be used against you...remember Waco, TX

ONE OF THESE DAYS... the People will rise up and put an end to that sort of crap and then lets see which side you LEO's will be on.. Right now your on the wrong side IMO
When that happens then you won't know where to run to hide even the rocks will give you up !

Remember how the war started in April 1775.. They went looking for guns, gun powder and ammo........ and the people shot them

Your SWAT team is very brave going up against just one man how are you going to do against an other heavy armed team.....







Oh wait... Waco TX

http://www.armyparatrooper.org/dropz...ran-dead/page4

I pretty much have reached the "hypersensitivity" level on this subject. This is due to years of "cops are assholes" posts on this site. It's not everyone by any stretch and I have never said that it was. I take shit from the public that I work with every day, and 99.9% rolls off like water off a duck's back. I expect to take that kind of shit off of the criminals, the bums, and the scumbags. It's par for the course.

Perhaps I am mistaken in doing so, but I tend to hold the members of this site to a higher standard than criminals, bums, and scumbags. The military and law enforcement have jobs that are "similar but different". On top of that, I see the jobs of government clerk, public works laborer, and police as different. Not to disparage the work that the former do, but the police often go into a dangerous, chaotic situation and have to make very quick decisions in order to restore order. In doing so, the officer writes a blank check to people he doesn't know and who all too often don't deserve it (example: the addicts, the dealers, the drunks, the cop haters who only like you when their ass is getting kicked and then go right back to "fuck you") that can be cashed for anything to include life limb and eyesight.

When the "decent" people start in on you, it makes you wonder why you bother.

Too often cops are put in impossible situations where nothing they do is going to look good. We know things that the public doesn't. For example we had to restrain a 60 year old drunk woman who wanted to swallow a bottle of pills. Her hands were empty. She did have to go for a psych eval as she is a mental health patient who wanted to hurt herself. She reached for her pocket while we were talking to her and we grabbed her arms and held them behind her back.

If someone had youtubed that it would have looked terrible. I'm sure if it was put on here it would probably elicit alot of comments about how the cops were on a power trip and they were "beating up" on an old lady. But then you have "the rest of the story". A couple weeks ago the same shit happened the same way. She was looked at as an old lady and not much of a threat. I wasn't there that time but I did hear about it and my backup had been there. At that time she had suddenly reached into her pocket and came out with a box cutter which she proceeded to wave around.

Now, with that knowledge, how would that look to a reasonable person? This stuff happens all the time. Most of what we do is repeat business and we know things that your average bystander does not.

The military gets second guessed in much the same way alot of the time. This is something that alot of members here should be familiar with when comes to the shitty end of that equation. The information that comes to this site is a media account. How many of our veterans here have been involved with something reported by the media and they completely fuck up the facts? They miss pertinent details, misreport things, and hold up interviewed enemy sympathizers as "realiable eyewitnesses" who's only motivation is to tell the truth. Then, if all that they report turns out to be bullshit, you'd be lucky to get a retraction at all. When you do, it's usually on page C9 about a month later and is two lines. Even though the incorrect story was a two page above the fold headline.

Seeing as how all of that is true, why is it so wrong to ask that officers be extended the benefit of the doubt while information is still coming out? To ask that you at least see both sides of the issue when there are gaps in the information? To not always assume the worst. If you look back at the vast majority of my "expanation" posts in alot of these threads they say "if x happened then that's bad and if y happened it's justified". When I give only the "y" opinion its typically because my post follows 5 negative posts that already explain the negative. Even then I usually acknowledge it with a "That would be bad but..." I just ask that we see all perspectives and due to the factors I listed above I figured this would be a group that just about to a man could and would do that due to their own experiences.

Instead we get alot of these posts where we allude to killing cops, calling the police douchebags on a power trip, calling them Nazi's, etc. with no acknowledgment that there are just as many scenarios where the police could have been right. This is the equivalent of Jack Murtha calling Marines murderers when he doesn't know the whole story. When that happens, the same people that disparage the police raise hell because Murtha is shooting his mouth off without knowing what he is talking about.

In alot of other cases, people give their interpretation of law and case law that is just plain wrong and it leads them to an improper conclusion. In those cases I try to correct the perception. Sometimes I get a "I did not know that" and other times it is completely ignored and the bash continues devolving into an e-mob. In any case, the object of your ire isn't the police, it is the courts or the legislature.

But the police take the heat, because your Congressman doesn't show up at the homestead at 1am.

I know there are bad cops out there and I really don't know how many times I have to say that before someone actually acknowledges that I said it. This has to be a few dozen at the least. All I'm looking for is a little levity, and for the profession to get a fair shake.

[recondo82]

The simple fact is that we live in some pretty troubling times right now. We have a poor economy, high unemployment, an administration that clearly wants to curtail more and more of our freedoms, including taking away our right to possess firearms. Most people are on edge 24/7, and so the atmosphere of our society is one of venting and ranting about everything that is wrong in the country. It's much easier to look at the negatives right now, particularly because that's about all we get fed from the media. Unfortunately, the negative scenarios involving LEOs fit right into the hot topic of people feeling their Constitutional rights are being suppressed, so these scenarios get a lot of attention, regardless of whether the underlying cause of the circumstances was a piece of legislation or court decision.

With that being said, I'm fairly certain that if you (VoTrooper) or any of the other LEOs on this site were involved in a difficult LEO scenario, the vast majority of AP.org members would be completely supportive of you from the get-go, irregardless of whether the circumstances were questionable.

I despise bad cops, and will always call out behavior I believe to be an abuse of authority. I will also call out any legislation or court opinion that I believe gives law enforcement authority that exceeds Constitutional mandates. However, I very much appreciate the law enforcement profession and those who put on the badge to daily risk their lives so I can feel safe in my community.

Finally, I hereby acknowledge that VoTrooper99 has publicly stated that there are bad cops, although he has nowhere denied being one of them (there's your levity, Vo).

[LadyDoc]

Vo, for what it's worth, I've learned alot from your comments on these threads over the years.
Camera angles can be deceiving. You don't know what happened before the video starts, etc. So don't think you're just wasting your breath. You're not - you're educating.

[Gato Rojo]

Thanks for posting that, VoTrooper. I certainly see why that post would set your teeth on edge. I hadn't seen that one, but as I said, I'm not aware of a rash of similar posts. That may be because I seldom have the opportunity to read every post and sometimes I must miss a lot of posts.

In my view the nature of that post would offend any LEO member of AP.Org. But I've never seen one like the one you quoted. What I have seen are posts expressing the theme described by recondo82 above, in generally the same respectful attitude that brothers here show one another in the usual course of things. Naturally, the phrase "same respectful attitude that brothers here show one another" also means "no more, no less" and "respectful" means just that, not "subservient." (I'm not suggesting that you don't know or respect the meaning of the terms, I'm just clarifying my own statement.)

Anyway, please note that it was not my intent to single you out as being oversensitive; I answered your question, I did think you were, and I stated why. You've amplified why you feel frustrated and somewhat "under sieige" and I understand why you would feel that way if the tone of the discussions of the conflicted role of the LEO in situations as described by recondo82 was as anti-LEO as you see it to be.

Where we part from total agreement is in the amount of LEO-offensive material coming from the brothers of the silk. I hate it that you or others feel that way; that is that you perceive animosity. I don't perceive it, I see more of the support like recondo82. Or me, for that matter.

I'm not saying that you ARE wrong, but I am saying that I don't see an "anti-LEO" attitude reflected in many posts here, and you do see one. That's life, I reckon.

[Zimmy]

Hooray for the good cops!