Newark Officials Honor City Police Officers, Firefighters for Valor – TAPinto.net

NEWARK, NJ — A group of Newark police officers and firefighters this week were recognized by city officials for their courageous effort in the line of duty. 

Officers and firefighters are typically honored by city officials and the 200 Club of Essex County for their sacrifices each year but because of the pandemic, the first responders were unable to be saluted in 2020. However, multiple officers and firefighters were praised this year and received plaques for risking their lives.

“We get an opportunity to say thank you, ‘God Bless you,’ and keep up the great work,’’ Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said. “You put your lives at risk and we appreciate you.’’ 

Among the group of those recognized this year, Detective Leonardo Guzman Jr. and officer Angel Paro suffered stabbed wounds from a mentally disturbed woman they managed to subdue and get help for her illness. 

Despite their injuries, the officers were able to arrest the woman and make sure she was transported to University Hospital for treatment on July 4, 2019. 

Also recognized this week, Battalion Fire Chief William Weidele, who was off duty, pulled an unconscious man from a car that had flipped onto its roof on the Garden State Parkway on July 27, 2019. Weidele pulled over his vehicle on the parkway when he saw another vehicle on its roof. He crossed over the median and crawled into the vehicle to rescue the unconscious male with help from a Millburn firefighter.

His colleagues, Fire Captain Kelton Hall, and firefighters Juan Arboleda and Ryan Rosetti, showcased heroic efforts as well when they rescued a child trapped in a house fire with her mother on July 4, 2019. 

The firefighters responded to a call at 48 South 12th St. on July 4, 2019. Arboleda shared his oxygen with the child after she was located on the third floor. Hall handed the girl out of the window and firefighter Rosetti carried her down to safety where she was then taken to University Hospital for treatment. 

Following acknowledgments of each individual, Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara, explained that the tribute is a monumental ceremony for police officers and firefighters and that their efforts should be commended more often. 

“The biggest fear I always have is that we are not able to recognize as many of our people as we should, who are successfully de-escalating a situation because when they successfully deescalate, tragedy is averted,’’ O’Hara said. “Officers Guzman and Paro safely took a person in crisis into custody without her being injured, despite both having been stabbed by her. That is in direct contrast to too many tragedies we’ve seen across the nation. The police officers and firefighters being honored exemplified the values we expect in the Department of Public Safety, and we salute them for their accomplishments.”