Fair Lawn Police Officers Recognized for Outstanding Achievements

The Fair Lawn Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 67 honored some of its members for their outstanding contributions to the community at an annual awards ceremony held recently at the Fair Lawn Athletic Club.

The PBA recognized officers for a range of achievements from resuscitating residents to apprehending crime suspects.

"We are proud of all of our officers and their outstanding accomplishments," PBA president Michael O'Brien said in a statement. "By working together, we will continue to make Fair Lawn a great place to live and work."

Five officers received medals during the ceremony for bringing citizens back to life.

Officers Luis Vasquez and Christoper Siano were recognized for reviving resident Barry Friedman, whom they found not breathing, and Detective Sgt. Brian Metzler, Sgt. Lonnie Mergler and Officer Sean Nagle were presented medals for using CPR/defibrilation to save the life of a man whom they found face down on 2nd Street.

A slew of officers received the Honorable Service Award for their response to a call of three suspicious males making their way inside a home. Upon entering the home, the officers found the suspects hiding in the shower with a handgun.

Another police team, led by 39-year force veteran Lt. Bob Kneer, received the Meritorious Service Award for apprehending a suspected car thief late last year.

In that case, Kneer came in on his day off determined to nab a man suspected in a string of Route 4 car break-ins.

Kneer, Detective Timothy O'Shaughnessy and Officer Anthony Lugo, who were monitoring the strip in unmarked vehicles, witnessed the suspect cross the highway, jump the divider and hop in a car left idling at Brake World while its owner was inside the shop.

“I saw him coming down Broadway, walking nonchalant, just waiting for easy prey,” Kneer told Patch last October. “But he found out there were a couple hawks up above him.”

The man, later identified as Jose N. Lopez, didn't get far. Police tailed him up Broadway and apprehended him on Plaza Road.

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