Trenton:

MERCER COUNTY HONORS SHERIFF’S OFFICER OF THE YEAR – CARMEN CRUZ

Mercer County Sheriff announced the Officer of the Year for 2018 along with special awards for distinguished officers.

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This year’s Sheriff’s Officer of the Year is Officer CARMEN CRUZ. The award is given annually to a well-rounded officer who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of their position and has demonstrated a distinct and positive pattern of service and professional achievement. Cruz, a 5-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office is assigned to the Courts Division. In addition to providing security for the Judiciary, she administers and processes the movement and the securing of inmates and those awaiting trial. Her chief role is to maintain a safe and secure courthouse environment, with no major incidents under her watch.

Sheriff Kemler also presented Medal of Honor Awards and Meritorious Service Awards:

Three Medals of Honor were awarded to Detectives William Perez, Joseph Tuccillo, and Steven Niederer for their bravery and valor while under imminent danger. This award was conveyed for their actions when they were met with gunfire on the morning of May 10, 2017, when they attempted to serve an arrest warrant related to a Megan’s Law offense, on Centre Street, Trenton. Each officer sustained gunshot injuries at the scene and a deadly standoff ensued. All three detectives currently work out of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit and are assigned to the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Meritorious Service Awards were given to four Sheriff’s Officers for having distinguished themselves with courageous acts and rapid response in the line of duty. Officers George Dzurkoc III and John Lyle of the Sherriff’s Patrol Unit, for seizing a loaded 9 mm handgun, multiple ammunition clips, and a tactical device from a 16 year-old juvenile in August, 2017. In addition, to Officers Joseph DiLissio and Joel Adams of the Sheriff’s Courts Unit for their quick action to quell a vicious act in the Mercer County Courthouse, in which a criminal defendant suddenly and violently struck their attorney in June, 2017.

A committee of peers nominated and selected the award recipients. The awards presentation took place on Friday, June 8, at the Mercer County Civil Courthouse under the direction of Sheriff Jack Kemler.

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