US Attorney General's Awards for Distinguished Service in Policing

It has been a challenging time for the Nation's police. Considering the spiraling death toll from ambush and gunfire along with the intense invective and patent disrespect in some quarters most Americans understand this challenge and steadfastly support us nonetheless. I believe they appreciate that our officers, to their great credit, have managed to remain positive throughout this time and have continued to deliver inspired and unwavering services to their respective communities, irregardless of the impact of this unfair negativity and increased risk.
 

It was for this reason that I had the honor yesterday to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend a ceremony where 24 of our nation's finest received awards from Attorney General Jeff Sessions for ten categories of superlative police service performed during 2017-2018.
 

The honorees from New Jersey were:
 

For Innovations in Community Policing:

Sgt. Sean Crotty, Little Egg Harbor Police Department, Ocean County, NJ
 

For Criminal Investigations:

Detective Andrew Beuschel, Jr., Evesham Township Police Department, Burlington County, NJ
 

For Field Operations:

Sgt. Girard Tell III & Sgt. Ryan VanSyckle, Pleasantville Police Department, Atlantic County, NJ
 

The actions by these NJ officers were inspiring and, among the remaining recipients from across the Nation were equally compelling stories that made us all proud to be a part of law enforcement. These included those like the four fine officers that engaged and neutralized the shooter during the now infamous Las Vegas shootings of last summer.
 

On behalf of the NJ Association of Chiefs of Police we congratulate all of these fine officers and their respective departments for a job well done. It has been these type of actions by these type of individuals that has kept us going in these darkest of hours.
 

Sincerely,
 

Chief Rich Buzby, President

NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police