Point Beach and Boro Police Honored for Saving Man at VFW

Point Beach police officers and a Point Borough police officer were among those honored by the police department, mayor and council at Tuesday night's meeting.

Point Beach Sgt. Robert Goessel, Point Beach Police Officer Scott Nase and Point Borough Special Police Officer Matthew Nickerson, who was off-duty at the time, were honored for saving a man who had become unconscious while he was at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall in Point Beach.

A statement prepared by the police department was read as follows by Councilman Bret Gordon, the liaison to the department:

"On July 8, 2013 at 5:07 p.m., this department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a male subject who was suffering from a possible stroke at the VFW Building.  

Upon arrival of officers, Alan Laymon was found unconscious on the floor with several patrons surrounding him, including off-duty Special Officer Matthew Nickerson of Point Pleasant Police Department. 

After assessing the scene, it was determined that Mr. Laymon had no pulse and was not breathing. The two officers administered CPR while hooking Mr. Laymon to the AED or Defibrillator.  

The officers administered two shocks with the AED, which resulted in a pulse being restored to the victim. The first aid squad and Medics transported the man to Brick Hospital where upon arrival he was alert and responding to questions by medical personnel. 

If not for the immediate medical assistance of Officer Nickerson and subsequent actions of MSGT Goessel and PFC Scott Nase, Mr. Laymon may not be alive today.

It is the Awards Committee's recommendation that MSGT Robert Goessel and PFC Scott Nase be awarded the Life Saving Award. The award reads as follows: In recognition of an act performed in the line of duty which, through prompt and alert actions, resulted in the saving of a life."

Laymon went to the front of the meeting room on Tuesday night and personally thanked the officers.

Certificate of Merit for Cindyjean Brodeur, confidential secretary to Police Chief Kevin O'Hara

Gordon read the following statement honoring Cindyjean Brodeur for her exemplary work for the police chief:

"Cindyjean Brodeur has worked for the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach since 1984 when she was hired as a Clerk Typist. During her 30 years of service she has held positions as a Computer Operator, Data Entry Machine Operator, Senior Data Entry Machine Operator, and her current title as Confidential Administrative Secretary. 

Her responsibilities range from; data entry, maintaining all police records, being the confidential secretary to the Chief of Police, compiling and providing statistics and the timely reporting of mandatory information and material to Federal, State, and County agencies. Certainly, this is just a summary if what she does as there are many things she does that most often go unnoticed.

It’s hard to put into words what Cindy truly does for this department. She is one of only two secretaries in the department. She does the work designed for many more staff members. The results of her hard work are recognized and lauded by the many law enforcement agencies that receive her reports and the product of her efforts. Three such agencies would be the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Cindy is that 'go to' person in the department. If something needs to be done, she is always there to provide her help and guidance. She possesses a remarkable ability to retain information. If a question needs answering, Cindy usually has the answer. In the rare instance she doesn’t, she will immediately set out to find the answer. 

Cindy’s commitment to her profession and to the people she works with is second to none. She is the most dedicated person I’ve had the privilege to work with and we certainly wouldn't be where we are without her.

It is the awards committee's recommendation that Cindyjean Brodeur be presented with a Certificate of Merit. The award reads as follows: Awarded for the deliverance of outstanding service to the department and the citizens and visitors of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach."

Certificate of Appreciation for Mike McCarthy

Gordon read the following statement thanking local resident and business owner Mike McCarthy:

Mike McCarthy is the owner of McCarthy Contracting and lives here in Point Pleasant Beach. With the retirement of K-9 Doc from the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, the department added another police dog and handler to the roles. 

Police Officer 1st Class Paschal Drew and K-9 Loki started Patrol Dog training in September. Prior to training, PFC Drew needed a dog kennel built in his back yard.  

Mike was asked to provide his expertise on costs and plans for construction. Within days, Mike had plans for construction, was able to obtain discounted prices for materials, and offered to donate his labor costs. Mike’s generous donation of his time and talents is greatly appreciated by the Police Department.

Mike’s plaque reads as follows: In grateful recognition of your continuing service and support to the department as well as the citizens of Point Pleasant Beach.

Certificate of Appreciation for Jeffrey Pompeo

Gordon read the following recognizing local property owner Jeffrey Pompeo:

"Jeffrey Pompeo is an attorney who owns a home at 107 New Jersey Avenue. Jeff is a constant supporter of the Police Department wherein over the course of ten years he has donated thousands of dollars to the Bike Unit and Boardwalk Operations. 

Jeff’s past donations have allowed for the purchase of Police Bikes, a T-3 all-terrain vehicle and many others. 

Jeff again has stepped up to the plate and recently donated a large sum of money to help fund a new Police dog. Thanks to this generous donation, the Police Department was able to purchase Loki, a 14 month old black German shepherd. Jeff’s generous donations over the years are greatly appreciated by this department.

Jeff’s plaque reads as follows: In grateful recognition of your continuing service and support to the department as well as the citizens of Point Pleasant Beach.