Police Officers Recognized For Actions In Two Hazlet Incidents

HAZLET, NJ — Two Hazlet police officers and a Holmdel officer who had to react quickly and calmly in a crisis - one to save the life of a suicidal man and two others who saved the life of an infant - were recognized at a recent event.

Hazlet's Sgt. Robert Dickens, with Holmdel Patrolman Thomas Wilson, and Hazlet Patrolman John Corcione were honored for their actions during the annual 200 Club of Monmouth County Valor Awards luncheon June 2 at the Spring Lake Golf Club, the department announced.

On June 29 of last year, Patrolman Corcione, along with other patrols, was dispatched on a report of a suicidal man in a vehicle, armed with several knives.

Corcione was able to communicate with the man using de-escalation tactics and maintained control of the situation even when the man became agitated.

“You’ve got to let me help you,” were some of the first words Corcione spoke to the individual.

The officer even told the person about his crisis training and explained that he was trained to respond to critical incidents to get people to "even better hands" to help.

Corcione successfully convinced the person to drop the weapon, and assisted the person in calming down until emergency staff arrived and took the man to Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel.

Corcione was commended for an act of heroism in a high-stress, adverse condition, the department said.

Then, on Dec. 29 last year, Sgt. Dickens responded to an EMS call where an infant ingested narcotic residue off a discarded tissue and began to experience an overdose.

Dickens, along with Ptl. Wilson of Holmdel, rushed to the scene where Dickens held the infant steady and Wilson administered Narcan - ultimately ending the overdose. The baby was transported to a local hospital for additional treatment.

The officers were commended for "their quick and steady actions to safely administer Narcan and save this infant's life."

The Hazlet Police Department added their own recognition: "We commend our officers on their outstanding work and well-deserved recognition," the department said.

The 200 Club of Monmouth County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to first responders who risk their lives to protect and save others, the organization says.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago was guest speaker at the event.