Det. Kenneth Martin and Ptl. Giacomo Trombetta

Chief Chris Leusner and son, Christopher

Capt. John Edwards

Chief Leusner shares a moment with Committeeperson Tim Donohue

Dispatcher Theodore Farina receives an award for saving the life of man.

Mayor Dan Lockwood and Committeeperson Susan DeLanzo help serve dinner

Kendall Larkin, daughter of Ptl. Leonard Larkin

Ptl. Jeff Salvensen (left) and Ptl. Tracey Super

Officer Mary Champion enjoys her dinner

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COURT HOUSE — Members of the Middle Township Police Department, their families and friends got their desserts - and dinner too, as part of the police department's bi-annual awards dinner. The event, held the evening of Tue., Feb. 7 at the township's Senior Center, was a chance for police and the public to recognize members of the department who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Forty-six awards were presented for acts of heroism, education and longevity.

Lifesaving awards were presented to Cpl. Fran Fiore and Patrolman James D'Alonzo for heroism in responding to a 9-1-1 call for help in Rio Grande.

"The two officers responded to a call in which a 10-month-old was left alone in a bath for a short period," said township Police Chief Chris Leusner. "Upon the officers' arrival, the child was blue and having difficulty breathing. The officers gave aid to the child and monitored her until the arrival of rescue personnel."

Patrolman David Hagan and Patrolman Martin Lindholm were also presented with lifesaving awards for their act of heroism when they responded to Layton's Marina in March 2011 for a 67-year-old man who had fallen into the water from his boat.

"Even with the assistance of his friend," said Leusner, "the man was unable to get back into his boat. The officers were able to pull the man from the water, most likely saving his life due to the cold water and air temperatures."

A certificate of recognition was given to Theodore Farina, a dispatcher in the police communications center.

According to Leusner, Farina was "notified of a male arrestee who attempted to commit suicide while in one of the patrol rooms. The male attempted to strangle himself and was becoming unconscious and unresponsive. Farina, being an EMT, immediately went to the subject's aid. Using a bag valve mask and oxygen, he assisted the subject in regaining normal breathing. Farina assisted and monitored the subject until rescue arrived. Farina was under no obligation to assist."

The list of awardees include:

Capt. John Edwards FBI pin
Lt. William Adams CALEA award
DFC Allan McClure Distinguished Service
Ptl. James D’Alonzo Distinguished Service
Ptl. Jennifer D’Alonzo Community Service
Cpl. Fran Fiore Life Saving Award
Ptl. James D’Alonzo Life Saving Award
Ptl. David Hagan Life Saving Award
Ptl. Martin Lindholm Life Saving Award
Ptl. Jason Still Police Commendation
Dispatcher Madonna Sill Certificate of Recognition
Ptl. James D’Alonzo Police Commendation
Lt. William Adams Drug Recognition Expert Pin
Ptl. David Hagan Drug Recognition Expert Pin
Ptl. Leonard Larkin Drug Recognition Expert Pin
Cpl. Jeffrey Devico School Resource Officer Pin
Cpl. Sharon Price School Resource Officer Pin
Ptl. Joshua Bryan SWAT Pin
Ptl. Joshua Bryan DARE Pin
Ptl. Martin Lindholm NJ Highway Safety Certificate
Ptl. Ronald Miller Bike Unit Pin
PFC Marcus Phillips Bike Unit Pin
Ptl. David Hagan Bike Unit Pin
Ptl. Armando Jones Bike Unit Pin
Ptl. Jeffrey DeVico Bike Unit Pin
Ptl. Jason Sweitzer Bike Unit Pin
Ptl. Leonard Larkin Bike Unit Pin
Ptl. Daniel Geiger Good Conduct
Sgt. Don Nelson Good Conduct
Det. Ken Martin Good Conduct
Ptl. Armando Jones Good Conduct
Ptl. Matthew Martino Good Conduct
Ptl. Curt Saettler Good Conduct
Ptl. Julio Ruiz Good Conduct
Ptl.Giacomo Trombetta Good Conduct
Ptl. Steven Novsak Good Conduct
Madonna Sill (dispatcher) 20 Year Pin/Certificate
Jennifer Graham (dispatcher) 20 Year Pin/Certificate
Robert Egan (dispatcher) 15 Year Pin/Certificate
Dustin Gaskill (dispatcher) 5 Year Pin/Certificate
William Mulligan(dispatcher) 5 Year Pin/Certificate
Theodore Farina (dispatcher) Certificate of Recognition
Barbara Montgomery(records)10 Year Pin/Certificate
Virginia Sweitzer (records) 5 Year Pin/Certificate
Kendra Karstens (records) 5 Year Pin/Certificate