Crime & Safety

Bravest Officials to be Honored at Essex County Valor Awards

Bloomfield Police Officer Nicholas Polidoro will be one of more than 30 honored at annual luncheon

More than 30 police and fire officials will receive medals of bravery for not only serving their communities, but for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Bloomfield Police Officer Nicholas Polidoro is among those who will be honored at the annual Valor Awards Luncheon hosted by The 200 Club of Essex County May 12 at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. 

"This event really highlights the valor of our public safety officials," said Arthur Guida, president of The 200 Club of Essex County. "It's more than salary, it's really a commitment to serving the public."

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Nine local law enforcement officers, nine local firefighters, three Essex County sheriff’s officers and nine New Jersey State Police officers will be recognized and receive medals they can wear on their uniforms. 

Guida said The 200 Club chose the honorees from a pool of nominees submitted by each municipality.

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"We differentiated between good police and an act of valor," he said. 

"A fire man or woman may go into a building before the backup support goes up, in the case of police, it may be an armed robbery where backup may not be in position yet, or good investigation on the prosecution side," said Guida.

Paul J. Fishman, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey will speak at the luncheon, that will be open to the public. 

The 200 Club of Essex County is a nonprofit that provides direct support to families that have lost loved ones in the line of duty. They are the oldest of hundreds associations nationwide. 

"The job of a police officer or firefighter is tougher today than ever before," said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, a member of The 200 Club’s board of trustees in a press release. 

"Law enforcement and firefighting are extremely hazardous professions which are performed at tremendous personal risk.  The work of The 200 Club of Essex County is greatly appreciated by the entire public safety community and their families."

State, county and local officials from Bloomfield, East Orange, Fairfield, Newark, North Caldwell, Orange, West Caldwell and West Orange are slated to receive awards.

The valor awards luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., Thurs. May 12. Mayfair Farms is located at 481 Eagle Rock Avenue. Tickets for the annual event are $75 each. Call 973-694-4982 for more information. 


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