The Gloucester County Police Awards Committee hosted its 46th Annual Awards Banquet on October 22 at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford. The committee honored outstanding police officers across the county for their work in 2025.
Amongst the honorees were officers from Monroe Township Police Department (MTPD).
For an officer to receive an award, they must be nominated by another officer to the Gloucester County Police Awards Committee, and the committee then reviews the officers and their meaningful actions and initiatives.
Forty-seven officers from MTPD received honors across six categories.
Seventeen of MTPD’s officers were honored for their Distinguished Service: Anthony D’Amico, Lawrence Fernan, Matthew Gordon, Donald Darcangelo, Edward Brown, Michael Gabbianelli, Kevin Bielski, Jules Maiorano, Bruce Maute, John Dobleman, Taj Lumanog, Joshua Sheppard, Antonette Rivera, Michael Santangelo, Dominick Stellaccio, Enrique Espinoza and Jennifer Skala.
Eleven of MTPD’s officers received Unit Citation honors: Joshua Sheppard, Antonette Rivera, Michael Santangelo, Cody Hendrickson, Bruce Maute, Kevin Bielski, John Dobleman, Michael Martucci, Jennifer Skala, Jules Maiorano and Taj Lumanog.
Seven of MTPD’s officers were honored for their Meritorious Service: Elwood Wrigley, Antonette Rivera, Nicholas Racobaldo, Dacoda Leech, Michael Prus, Matthew Shipley and Anthony Tomasello.
Five of MTPD’s officers received the Life Saving Award: John VanLeer, Michael Bryan, Michael Matkowsky, Malachi Massaro and Shawn Rehman.
Five of MTPD’s officers were honored for their Honorable Discharge: Lester Harris, Jules Maiorano, Anthony Pease, Brian Reeve and Eric Dare.
Two of MTPD’s officers received the K9 Deployment Award: Cody Hendrickson and Michael DiRienzi.
Additionally, dispatcher Denyse DiSimone with Gloucester County Emergency Management was awarded Gloucester County Dispatcher of the Year for “her exceptional efforts during last year’s plane crash in Monroe Township. Her professionalism and dedication during this critical incident highlight the vital role our dispatchers play in emergency response and public safety,” according to a Facebook post from MTPD.
“The awards recognized our officers for their work on a variety of serious incidents, including three separate firearm seizures, two sexual assault investigations that resulted in arrests, two homicide investigations, a burglary investigation, a theft investigation, a plane crash response and the safe recovery of a juvenile with a disability by a police K9,” MTPD Captain Kevin Bielski said in an email.
“These incidents often involved difficult circumstances, lengthy investigations, and the combined efforts of multiple officers and agencies working together. Their hard work, dedication, and ability to handle these situations are a credit to our department and the community we serve,” he continued. “We appreciate the Gloucester County Police Awards Committee for taking the time each year to recognize the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of law enforcement officers throughout the county.”
Members of the Monroe Township Police Department at the Gloucester County Police Awards Committee 46th Annual Awards Banquet.
