Valor In Montclair: Firefighters, Police Officers Earn Awards

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A group of 20 law enforcement officers and six firefighters from agencies across Essex County earned commendations at the Two Hundred Club of Essex County’s 59th annual Valor Awards luncheon earlier this week.

The awardees included firefighters and police officers from Montclair, according to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, which shared the following details:

MONTCLAIR POLICE DEPARTMENT

“Responding to reports of an erratic mother of a 4-year-old roaming the outside of her apartment holding a rifle, Montclair Police Officers Michael Medrano and Stephen J. Seifried with the guidance of Captain Robert Romito were able to remedy the situation and able to safely remove the child from the volatile environment without serious harm or damage.”

MONTCLAIR FIRE DEPARTMENT

"Following units being dispatched to Mills Reservation on a late August night, it was discovered that an injured individual was wedged between a tree and a cliff near a narrow edge. Montclair firefighters worked together to illuminate the area and safely lower the injured individual who sustained several injuries and was provided medical attention."

Montclair Fire Department Recipients in Order of Rank:

• Battalion Chief Joseph Bates (Not in Attendance)
• Captain John Fierro
• Lieutenant Samuel Bendtsen
• Lieutenant Thomas Hargraves
• Lieutenant Todd Thompson
• Firefighter John DiGeronimo (Not in Attendance)
• Firefighter Adam Duchinsky
• Firefighter Matthew Gifford
• Firefighter Khalil Jannah
• Firefighter Gordon Kohles
• Firefighter Zachary Lynch
• Firefighter Rocco Marzullo
• Firefighter Jeffrey Testa
• Firefighter Ryan Verney
• Firefighter Anthony Virgil
• Probationary Firefighter Jake Zimmerman

OTHER AWARDS

Two late law enforcement officers were honored this year, organizers noted:

“A notable recipient being recognized with the Meritorious Service Award is Newark Police Detective Sergeant Joseph Azcona, who bravely lost his life in March while in the line of duty. Moreover, we will be recognizing the loss of 2020 Valor Award recipient, Fairfield Police Detective James Ciampi, who lost his battle with cancer this past September.”

The Two Hundred Club of Essex County assists the families of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Since its inception in 1966, The Two Hundred Club has raised millions of dollars to support the spouses of fallen officers and fund college scholarships for their children.

Nominations for The Two Hundred Club’s Valor Awards are made by the chiefs of Essex County’s municipal and fire departments, as well as the commanding officers of federal, state and regional public safety agencies. Additionally, Valor Award recipients are selected by The Two Hundred Club’s executive committee.

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