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Camden County Sheriff Officers to be Honored

 

CAMDEN CITY, NJ (December 21, 2022)(CNBNewsnet)--On Thursday, the Camden County Sheriff will present assorted awards and honors to members of his staff. Most of the awards will be presented to officers who handled difficult situations involving armed criminal suspects and the outstanding work they did in resolving potentially volatile situations. In addition, Sheriff’s officers that focused on building bridges in the community will be honored for their thoughtful service.

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                        “These officers have worked tirelessly to protect and serve Camden County’s residents and for that, we honor them with these prestigious awards,” said Sheriff Gilbert “Whip” Wilson. “Their selfless devotion to this county and its communities is palpable and we’re proud to have such incredible officers serving us.”

 

Numerous officers and members of the Sheriff’s Office have gone above and beyond this year in service of Camden County. Among them:

 

Honorable Service Award Recipient (Officer Alter and Officer Diorio): On March 23, 2022, Investigator Alter and Investigator Diorio were patrolling Camden City when they heard a broadcast for a suspect wanted for armed robbery out of Philadelphia. The suspect was believed to be traveling to Camden City by the Patco train. Alter and Diorio immediately responded to the Ferry Avenue station where they observed the suspect attempting to conceal himself behind some parked vehicles. Both investigators quickly and safely took control of the scene and arrested the suspect. The suspect was found to be in possession of $4,891 of stolen money.

 

 

Honorable Service Award Recipient (Officer Rauscher and K9 Recchi): On June 1, 2022, the Voorhees Township Police Department was dispatched to an armed robbery. Central Communications advised the suspect was armed with a machete and was chasing a victim. Officer Rauscher advised Central communications that he was responding to assist. Upon his arrival, the suspect had been taken into custody but discarded the evidence was. Rauscher and K9 Recchi conducted an article search that resulted in locating the suspects' bicycle seat cover, backpack, and weapon.

 

Honorable Service Award Recipient (Officer Sorgentoni and Officer Johnson): On July 4, 2022, Investigator Sorgentoni and Investigator Johnson were assigned to a traffic post at Federal Street and Riverside Drive. Both investigators observed a crowd of juveniles walking toward them acting as if they were going to engage in a fight. They observed a 15-year-old male open his jacket and brandish a large silver knife. Sorgentoni quickly unholstered his taser and gave the juvenile verbal commands to show his hands and get on the ground. Both investigators quickly and safely took control of the scene and were arrested. The suspect was found to be in possession of a 13-inch knife.

 

 

Honorable Service Award Recipient (Officer B. Boehly and Officer Bennett): On July 8, 2022, Officer B. Boehly and Bennett were patrolling Camden City. While traveling on Route 676 North their LoJack alerted a potentially stolen vehicle. Approximately eight minutes later the officers located the stolen Gray 2018 Hyundai Tucson bearing NJ Registration A65MBY in the back parking lot at the residence of 1327 Argus Road, Camden, NJ. Metro Communications were notified that the Sheriff’s Office recovered a stolen vehicle that was used in at least two different shootings that day.

 

 

Honorable Service Award Recipient (Officer Rauscher and K9 Five): On June 14, 2022, The Gibbsboro Police Department were dispatched to a shooting at 500 Independence Way. Central Communications advised the suspect was armed with a handgun and fled the scene on foot. Initially, two Voorhees PD K9 Teams arrived on the scene and were able to locate and arrest the subject who was no longer in possession of the handgun. At that time, Rauscher and K9 Five were requested to attempt another article search. They were deployed into the wooded area adjacent to the shooting scene along the path of the track done previously by the Voorhees PD K9 team. After searching the scene, K9 Five was able to locate the suspect’s handgun under a bush behind the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia medical office located at 13 S. Lakeview Drive.

 

Honorable Service Award Recipient (Sgt Olson, Cutler, Mennel, S/O Marcano, Harris, Investigators Barney, Diorio, B. Ward, Sorgentoni): On Aug. 31, 2022, members of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office along with Camden County Supervising Public Safety Officer Michael Schaffer responded to the front of the Hall of Justice where they were alerted to male suffering from cardiac arrest. All personnel quickly jumped into action securing the subject, contacting EMS, and initiating CPR. All personnel assisted in transporting the subject to Cooper Hospital while Supervisor Schaffer provide CPR. Upon arrival, Cooper hospital took over lifesaving treatment and noted that the actions of the officers and Mr. Schaffer resulted in the subject’s survival. 

 

Unit Citation Award (Officer Larranaga and Officer Bennett): On Aug. 3, 2022, Larranaga and Bennett were patrolling in the area of North Camden when they received a hit on their LoJack System. They were able to track the signal to 1217 N. 18th Street, where they observed a vehicle matching the description inside a gated yard with no license plate. The officers contacted the homeowners who allowed them to verify the VIN number of the vehicle in question. While waiting for the tow truck, Bennett and Larranaga observed additional vehicles on the property and began checking them as well. The additional vehicles came back stolen giving them a total of five stolen vehicles from the property.

 

Unit Citation Award (Officer Kemner, Officer Malvin Cuevas, Officer P. Garcia, Officer Barney): On May 3, 2022, Investigator Kemner observed a male pass a firearm to another male in the Whitman Park section of Camden City. He radioed for assistance and members of SIB responded. Inv. Cuevas, Garcia, and Barney arrived in the area when they observed the male that fit Inv. Kemner’s suspect. As the investigators exited their vehicle, the subject discarded his hat and proceeded to run. After a short pursuit, they were able to safely arrest the subject. The subject was found to be in possession of a black Polymer P80 .9mm handgun (Ghost Gun), loaded with eleven ball point rounds including one in the chamber.

 

 

Unit Citation Award Officer (Mireles, B. Boehly, Frantz, Johnson, Kolins, Seixas, Sorgentoni, Willams, Vanleer, Lesperence, Casey, Sanchez-Vargas, Wilcox, Alibrando, Lee, K9 Cade) (Tactical- Steve Bezich, Bill Heron)

(Negotiators- Jenna Gamble, Sherron Kee, Kevin Courtney): On Nov. 9, 2022, SERT was activated for an armed barricaded subject in a mechanic's garage at 26th and High in Camden City. It was later learned that the subject was wanted for a homicide the night prior and had just shot at Metro Detectives who attempted a felony car stop. SERT arrived on scene and quickly established a perimeter. Negotiators quickly began debriefing witnesses and the garage employees to get a better description of where the subject ran, and a layout of the business. The Bomb Team members prepped and deployed robots to get eyes on the business. This was a highly volatile and dangerous situation with an armed subject who knew he was wanted for a homicide and had already showed he was not afraid to shoot at police officers to escape. Knowing this, SERT members never hesitated to perform their duties in the face of that danger. The communication and actions between the Tactical Team, CNT, and Bomb Team were conducted professionally and thoroughly. After more than 4-hour standoff, SERT was able to locate and arrest the subject without any injuries and without posing a danger to officers or civilians.

 

Meritorious Service Award Recipient (Sgt. Cutler, Smith, S/O Schmidt, Kemner, Seixas, Pickard, Sorgentoni): On May 12, 2022, SERT was activated for a barricaded subject armed with a firearm in Lawnside. Schmidt was the first SERT team leader on scene and quickly ascertained that there was a potential hostage located on the second floor of the residence. Schmidt directed arriving SERT members to formulate a hostage rescue plan. Without hesitation, the SERT members placed themselves in harm’s way to execute the hostage rescue, which involved them exposing themselves to potential gunfire to extract the hostage utilizing a ladder. Within minutes of executing the rescue plan, the hostage was safely secured without injury. The suspect ultimately surrendered without further incident.

 

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