Newark, East Orange Cops Nominated For Valor Award

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Several police officers from Newark and East Orange were recently announced as finalists of an annual “Valor Award” from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP).

The award – which was launched in 2000 – includes 16 nominees for the current round. The winner will be announced at the 113th-annual Training Conference & Police Security Expo, to be held from June 23 to 26 in Atlantic City.

According to NJSACOP, nominees include:

NEWARK – “The Newark Police Department is nominating Officer Pierre Alca-Chiara and Officer Kaydon Holmes, who pursued an armed suspect on foot after a homicide on December 17. Officer Alca-Chiara engaged the suspect, who fired his weapon, and apprehended him after returning fire, while Officer Holmes rendered aid to the victim, who was later pronounced dead.”

NEWARK – “Police in Newark are also recognizing Officer Willy Figueroa, Officer Steven Ferreira and Officer Damion Reeves, who responded to a domestic violence call and confronted an armed suspect on Dec. 15. They acted swiftly to neutralize the suspect, who was threatening a woman and Officer Reeves, preventing serious harm.”

EAST ORANGE – “The East Orange Police Department is nominating Officer Jean-Carlos Montero and Officer Zawadi Smith. Officer Montero located a stolen vehicle on May 23. During the investigation, the suspect fled and fired shots. Officer Smith arrived on scene to help arrest the suspect and turn him over to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.”

EAST ORANGE – “Additionally, the East Orange Police Department is nominating their Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST), comprising Sgt. Joseph Williams, Officer Jean-Carlos Montero, Officer Rafael Concepcion and Officer Anthony Crutcher Jr. The team is being recognized for their proactive efforts in community safety. Between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024, the team made 35 arrests and recovered 24 firearms.”

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