Crime & Safety

Det. Dominick Donatelli, Jr. Named 'Officer of the Year'

Numerous awards were provided to many officers for their exemplary work.

The Manalapan Township Police Department awards for service in 2012 were held at last week’s Township Committee meeting. Numerous members of the police department were recognized for their exceptional service. 

Deputy Mayor and Police Commissioner Jordan Maskowitz thanked the police department for their dedication and efforts in making Manalapan a safe community. 

The police department has a committee that puts together a selection process from the officers that were submitted for certain awards by other officers, Captain Michael Fountain explained. 

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According to Chief Chris Marsala, each supervisor of the department nominates an officer for “Officer of the Year” who they think embodies what a Manalapan police officer should be. For 2012, two police officers received multiple nominations: Detective Dominick Donatelli, Jr. and Patrolman Dennis O’Brien, but Donatelli, Jr. was decorated with the Officer of the Year Award. 

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“It was not an easy choice,” Marsala said. “Both guys did a fantastic job, but, unfortunately, there can be only one ‘Officer of the Year’ at a time.”

Honorable Service Awards

Fifteen Years

  • Detective Peter Chalfin 
  • Detective Kevin Schmidt
  • Patrolman Kevin McIntosh

Ten Years

  • Detective Charles Alaimo
  • Patrolman Bryan Belardo
  • Patrolman Jeffrey Emslie

Five Years

  • Patrolman Jared Aronson
  • Patrolman Adam Sosnowski

Life Saving Award 

  • Patrolman Dennis O’Brien
  • Patrolman Peter Curran - Two
  • Patrolman Kimberly Whitehill
  • Patrolman Brian Schank

Meritorious Service Award

  • Patrolman Eric Voorand

Education Award

  • Sergeant Thomas Mantle
  • Patrolman Kevin Ruditsky


Exceptional Duty 

  • Patrolman Jennie Rae Hensley
  • Patrolman Dennis O’Brien - Two
  • Patrolman Charles Mazzatto
  • Patrolman Kevin Ruditsky 
  • Patrolman Ross Dessel
  • Patrolman Richard Gallo
  • Patrolman Bryan Belardo
  • Patrolman Brian Schank
  • Detective Michael Hoppock
  • Sergeant Robert Herring


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