Thirty heroes from Essex County were awarded the prestigious Valor Award in West Orange today, as a crowd of about 350 people listened mesmerized to each honoree’s tale of heroic service.
As Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura read the details of each awardee’s accomplishments, he created a vivid and sometimes painful journey of public crime and fire fighters fighting through the hell of fires, car-jackings, or being shot repeatedly. This year, unlike last year, all of the heroes honored survived.
From North Caldwell, two police officers and a fire fighter were honored for their life saving actions after a car crash. North Caldwell Police officers Michael Cristofano and Charles Krueser, along with firefighter Henry Forstenhausler, had rushed to the scene of a serious accident, and faced “imminent danger” from the possible explosion of the vehicle. Armed with nothing but a fire extinguisher, the men fought valiently to free the trapped people, who later went to local hospitals for their injuries.
Hailing from West Caldwell, heroic fireman John A. O’Hern was honored for his life saving efforts during a house fire that claimed the life of one person. SEE VIDEO, BELOW.
O’Hern, who had been working around the corner when the fire broke out in West Caldwell, rushed to the scene. Seeing the fire, he immediately entered the house and saved the life of a woman. Then, still dressed in his plain clothing and with no protective gear, he grabbed a ladder that he had with him, and propped it up against the house in order to try to save the man trapped inside. The ladder melted, and O’Hern had to be taken to the hospital after his ordeal, but he had saved the life of an elderly woman. Her adult son, who had been trapped inside on the second floor, did not survive.
A fit looking, dashing Fairfield Police Officer Gerald Veneziano was on hand for his Valor Award. Veneziano, who survived a barrage of 8 deadly bullets last winter, somehow managed to survive against all odds after being shot at close range - for no apparent reason - by a motorist and stranger allegedly suffering from road rage.
Story after story was packed with vivid details of violence, raging infernos and survival against all odds, as both firefighters and police officers managed to thwart their respective enemies of either fire or bullets and survive.
U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, from Montclair, spoke about the dramatic increase of deaths due to rapid fire machine guns and the numerous new programs being offered by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat crime. But he also reiterated a message he said he likes to deliver often - that serving your community is an important honor that also supports all of our local towns.
“I am energized to speak at events like this,” noted Fishman. “I like to talk about what I and my colleagues in the U.S. Attorney's office are doing. But I’m proud to speak before this group. I often talk about the importance of public service and its rewards and obligations. For me there is no greater honor than the honor to serve our country and communities in which we live.”
Be sure to watch the video below, in the video box, with the amazing sounds of the Newark Firefighters Pipes and Drums members.
ABOUT THE 200 CLUB
The first 200 Club was launched 45 years ago by a group of business leaders. According to their mission, they were formed to foster “the public’s need for safety ,security and protection” that could only be assured through the “dedication to duty, courageous, vigilance and selflessness of those who were the public safety uniform.”
