The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Every day presents borough police officers with a set of memorable challenges but some days are more memorable than others.

Honoring its own and paying homage to a local resident, borough and police officials recently presented awards for distinguished actions.

In an award that is presented infrequently, Mayor J. Brooke Hern, Police Chief Anthony Buccelli and Deputy Chief Scott Torre presented local resident Mark Manochio with a Citizens Award.

Manochio’s actions involved two towns in a lifesaving action of an elderly woman in North Plainfield.

On Aug. 6, Manochio called New Providence Police to report the receipt of a telephone call from an unknown person that seemed to be in distress and indicated she had fallen and needed assistance.

Local detectives determined the call came from a North Plainfield residence who promptly notified the town’s local police who conducted a check and found an elderly woman who had fallen and needed immediate medical attention. The woman was rescued and transported to the hospital.

“For his actions that resulted in the saving of a life, Mark is hereby granted the 2012 New Providence Citizen’s Award,” Buccelli said.

Police officers Daniel Nozza and Joseph DiParisi were presented lifesaving awards for their actions on November 17 of last year when they responded to a report of a borough man having difficulty breathing.

Arriving at the residence, the officers were conducting an initial assessment when the man went into full cardiac arrest. The officers immediately set up the automated external defibrillator administering a shock and restoring a pulse.

Officers continued rescue breathing and the patient was transported to the hospital by New Providence EMS.

Three police officers were presented with exceptional duty awards.

On March 26 of last year, Patrolman Joseph Parlapiano responded to a report of a fire in the basement of a Chamwood Avenue residence. 

Upon arrival, the officer found the home filled with thick smoke. Parlapiano retrieved the fire extinguisher from his vehicle. The officer located the source and was able to extinguish the fire preventing expansion to other areas of the home. “This action brought great acclaim to our agency,” Buccelli said.

The natural rhythms of life ran smack-dab into the exceptional duty awards received by Sgt. Daniel Henn and Ptl. Daniel Nozza.

In the very early hours of July 9, resident Francis Munoz called 911 and reported that his wife’s water broke and she was in active labor.

Upon arrival, the two police officers determined birth was imminent.  Henn and Nozza, along with New Providence EMS, delivered a healthy baby girl at 5:48 a.m. only seven minutes after their initial arrival.

On July 31, patrols responded to a Springfield Avenue residence on a report of a person wielding a knife. 

Upon arrival, Ptl. Andrew Diamond observed a woman at the top of the stairs with a large knife in her hand.

Moving up the stairs, the officer observed the woman moving towards another resident. Calming the woman, he was able to convince her to drop the knife.

Buccelli said that at great risk to his personal safety, Diamond brought a dangerous situation under control without any injuries in an act that deserved an honorable service award.