Crime & Safety
Elizabeth Police Chief Nominates Officers For NJSACOP Valor Award
Nine officers are being honored for their heroic rescue efforts during a fatal fire on Oct. 5, 2020.
Press release from the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police:
June 2, 2021
Police Chief Giacomo Sacca has nominated two sergeants and seven police officers for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police’s prestigious Valor Award to honor their heroic rescue efforts during a fatal fire on Oct. 5, 2020.
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Chief Sacca submitted nominations for Sergeants Joseph R. Aliseo and Eric S. Gora; and for Officers Joseph J. Leonard III, Jessica A. Marques, Christopher A. Keller, Rodrigo J. Cervantes, Johnny L. Arrarte, George Tovar and Edward J. Benenati Jr.
These officers are among 33 nominees from nine police departments in line for this year’s Valor Award to be presented at the 109th NJSACOP’s Annual Conference & Police Security Expo on Aug. 23–26 in Atlantic City.
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The nine officers responded to last October’s fatal fire on Elizabeth Avenue that claimed the life of an adult and three children who were shopping in a second-floor furniture store when fire erupted in a first-floor dollar store below. The five-alarm blaze also displaced nearby residents from their homes and closed neighboring businesses.
While most police chiefs nominate one or two officers, Chief Sacca said he would “be remiss” if he did not nominate all, explaining that each officers “acted with complete disregard for their own well-being and saved numerous people from injury.”
“Some of these officers battled flames, attempting to free people from second-floor windows that were covered with bars. Others entered smoke-filled buildings (nearby) to evacuate residents from their homes,” Chief Sacca said. “Words cannot express the level of bravery each (officer) showed that day. Knowing they were risking their own lives, each engaged in heroic acts to save others.”
The NJSACOP established its Valor Award in 2000 to recognize New Jersey police officers and private citizens who demonstrate exceptional heroism and commitment to their profession, their law enforcement agency and to the public they serve. Learn more about the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police at www.NJSACOP.org.
This press release was produced by the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police. The views expressed here are the author's own.