200 Club of Burlington County Announces 30th Annual Valor/Scholarship Awards Banquet

Moorestown: The 200 CLUB OF BURLINGTON COUNTY is pleased to announce they will celebrate the organization\’s 30th annual Valor Awards Dinner on Friday February 28, 2020 at Merion Caterers, Route 130, Cinnaminson NJ.

The 200 Club or Burlington County is a charitable, non-profit organization comprised entirely of dedicated volunteers with the primary mission of providing financial assistance to the families of fallen or injured members of the State Police, County and Municipal Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services serving the citizens of Burlington County. The Club also supports these public safety professionals through the awarding of higher education scholarships, advanced training awards and special recognition awards. 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 and the, MERITORIOUS AWARD, awarded for service rendered when an individual, with diligence and perseverance, conspicuously performs their duty, above and beyond the call of duty. Examples: prevents crime, protects life and/or property, apprehends criminals, or otherwise performs a deed which reflects credit upon the individual and the agency he or she represents. The DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD is awarded to an individual who has dedicated years of unqualified giving and service for the betterment of their community, department and profession and ADVANCED TRAINING AWARDS, 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 will distribute $10,000 in Scholarship funds by presenting 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.

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The recipients of this year\’s scholarships, one of which is sponsored by Republic Bank and Bowman & Company LLP, Certified Public Accountants include: Haley Chenier of Medford, N.J.,

Madison Congemi of Cinnaminson, N.J. , Jacob Dotson of Pemberton, N.J. and Jarrod LaRosa, of Medford, N.J.

The 200 Club will also present four Advanced Training Awards to local fire and police agencies to fund training for their personnel. The agencies receiving these awards, two of which are sponsored by Bowman & Company, LLP include: Riverside Township for Emergency Medical Technician training, sponsored by the Dietz & Watson Company; Maple Shade Township Police to attend De-Escalation Instructor Course training; Palmyra/Cinnaminson/Riverton EMT to attend a Stop The Bleed Training Control Course and to Evesham Township Fire District for training on the Lion Gas Monitoring Training System to be used at fire scenes. Funds totaling $6,000.00 will be divided and awarded to these agencies to fund, and/or provide education and training. In addition, Mount Laurel resident Debbie Johnson, wife of former Moorestown Police Public Safety Harry Johnson also contributes funds for the training and education in his memory.

The 200 Club’s Honor-Valor Award Committee will present the Distinguished Service Award to Colonel Edward R. Reynolds, for his lifetime commitment to the betterment, protection and service to his country and community for over 50 years and to acknowledge his service to the Burlington County Office of Emergency Management and the citizens of Burlington County.

The recipients of the Meritorious Service Awards include Maple Shade Police Corporal Robert Bennett, Officer Mark O’Brien, Officer Joseph Capate and Officer Justin Jericho for their actions dealing with an armed suspect. Corporal Bennett began negotiations with the armed suspect while Officers O’Brien, Capate and Jericho removed the suspect’s wife from danger and secured the area to protect surrounding residents. Corporal Bennett convinced the suspect to surrender. Officers located a fully-loaded handgun with an extended magazine and ammunition.

Also included in the Meritorious Service Awards are Riverside police Sergeant Brando Conard, Ptlm. Anthony Congemi, Ptlm. Brandon Griffin and Ptlm. Shane Pettit for their efforts in apprehending a violent sexual predator. Officers responded to a report of a missing 14-year-old female. When Officers arrived they were briefed by the victim’s mother and learned a suspect known to the girl broke into her bedroom window and forced the victim to go with him at knifepoint. The suspect, a 17-year-old male, was located and arrested in Delanco as a result of these Officers\’ quick actions. The victim was located unharmed.

The Honor/Valor Award is being presented to Chief Robert McFarland, Bordentown Fire District and Firefighter Tom Capraro, Vincentown Fire Company, and a Good Samaritan, Tyler Schulte, for their actions in rescuing a trapped occupant from a residential dwelling fire on April 16, 2019. As a result of their bravery, the occupant survive the ordeal.

President’s Award 200 Club President Steve Raymond will be presenting five (5) President’s Awards to several members of the Law Enforcement community helping the fight against opioid addiction. Prosecutor

Scott Coffina, Evesham Chief of Police Christopher Chew, City of Burlington Chief John Fine and Pemberton Township Chief David H. Jantas will be recognized for developing Straight to Treatment. The Straight to Treatment program allows anyone struggling with addiction to voluntarily walk into a police station and be referred immediately to a treatment program. Individuals will not be subject to charges even if they come in high or carrying drugs. Additionally, Lt. Louis Fisher, Riverside Police Department, will be recognized for his development of NJ Treatment Incentive Program (NJTIP). NJTIP tasks police with identifying “high risk” addicted individuals, and these individuals are brought in and given the opportunity to go into long-term treatment as an alternative to prosecution. With both programs the recidivism rates are drastically lower than individuals who are subjected to the ordinary criminal justice process.

Major Albert Della Fave, (Ret) N.J.S.P

The guest speaker for the event is Albert Della Fave, Major (Ret) New Jersey State Police. Major Della Fave retired from employment with the New Jersey State Police in November of 2009, having served the agency with distinction since June 1985. On September 27, 2008 he was promoted to Major and assigned as the Regional Operations Intelligence Center Task Force Commander, which also encompassed the Office of Cease Fire Operations. This statewide initiative focused on reducing urban street violence through the coordination of intelligence-led policing partnered with social services and community outreach activities. Prior to his promotion to Major he was assigned to the Office of Public Information since 1993. He was designated chief spokesperson and Director of Communications responsible for the dissemination of information concerning the functions and activities of the Division of State Police. He is a graduate of Upsala College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Seton Hall University where he received a master degree in education.

Event Details

Date: February 28, 2020

Time: Reception: 6:00 p.m. – Dinner/Awards: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Merion Caterers, Route 130 Cinnaminson, New Jersey 08077

The banquet is open to members of the general public, friends and family of recipients. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the 200 Club of Burlington County at 856-222-0100. Single tickets are $90 per person and a table for 10 guests for $900. Each ticket includes dinner and 1 hour open bar reception.

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