Burlington County 200 Club Hosting Annual Valor Awards Banquet

A Moorestown High School senior and the former Mount Laurel police chief will be honored during the 200 Club of Burlington County's 23rd annual Valor Awards Dinner on Friday at Merion Caterers in Cinnaminson.

The program will include the presentation of awards to several members of the Burlington County law enforcement, fire and EMS community in the categories of "Honor-Valor," awarded for an act or deed of personal bravery involving risk to the individual's own life, above and beyond the performance of duty; "Distinguished Service," awarded to an individual that has dedicated years of unqualified giving and service to the betterment of their community, department and profession; and "Advanced Training," presented to a department or agency for the purpose of funding advanced public safety training programs, which enhance the individual’s ability to perform their duties or conduct the training necessary to improve other members’ capabilities.

In addition, the 200 Club of Burlington County awards program will include the presentation of four $2,500 scholarships to family members of Burlington County police officers, county detectives, troopers, firefighters or EMS personnel to offset the cost of college. The winners of this year's scholarships include: Kayla Simpkins, of Tabernacle, attending The College of New Jersey; Melanie Berger, of Southampton, attending Villanova University; Cuyler Vena, of Tabernacle, attending Richard Stockton College of NJ; and Samantha Bewley, a senior at Moorestown High School.

The 200 Club will present three Advanced Training Awards to local fire and police agencies to fund training for their personnel. The agencies receiving these awards include the Burlington County Technical Training Task Force, the Maple Shade Police Department, and the Evesham Township Police Department. These agencies will receive funds to pay for advanced training for their members and surrounding agencies.

Honor-Valor Awards will be presented to Patrolman Jeffrey Hamlet, Delran Police Department; Patrolman Frederick Irons, Delran Police Department; Patrolman Joseph Vasbinder, Delran Police Department; and Paramedic James McKenzie, Delran First Aid Squad, for the rescue of a victim trapped inside a burning car in August 2012. Also receiving awards: Officer Sean Nolan, with the Riverside Police Department, for rescuing two elderly residents from their burning home in October 2012; and past chief Albert J. Jacoby, Florence Township Fire Department, and fireighter Christopher Perlingiero, Florence Township Fire Department, for their bravery and actions at the scene of a fatal fire in April 2012; as well as Officer Michelle Hollins, Florence Township Police Department, and Sergeant John Greenberg, Florence Township Police Department, for jumping onto train tracks with a train approaching to save a man attempting to commit suicide on March 1, 2012.

A special presentation will be made to Calvin E. Forvour, a longtime member of the Masonville Fire Company. Forvour will be formally recognized for his decades of volunteer service and contributions.

The capstone of the evening will be the presentation of the 2013 Distinguished Service Award. The 200 Club’s Honor-Valor Awards Committee will present two individuals with this honor: Col. Carl Williams, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police (retired), and Chief Joseph Lehman, former chief of police for Mount Laurel Township and past chief of the Delran Fire Department.

Both men will be recognized for their individual years of dedicated service to their agencies, along with providing leadership and expert experience resulting in the betterment to Burlington County's fire, police and emergency services personnel, enhancing the overall safety of the residents of Burlington County.

The event begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards banquet at 7:30 p.m.

Courtesy of the 200 Club of Burlington County