The above photo depicts (left to right) Officer Christopher Meyler, Lieutenant Christopher Kenny, Chief Michael C. DiBella, Sergeant Michael Eden and Officer Anthony Sarno during the 29th Annual Awards Reception presented by the 200 Club of Ocean County.

On Friday, June 9, 2017, Lacey Police Officers Anthony Sarno and Christopher Meyler attended the 200 Club of Ocean County 29th Annual Awards Reception held at the Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood, NJ. The 200 Club of Ocean County is dedicated to the promotion of law, order, and public safety and the furtherance of the same by the Police, Fire, and First Aid Squad Members. The Annual 200 Club Awards are presented to those members of the Police, Fire, and First Aid Organizations who exemplify these high ideals and who further demonstrate this by deeds above and beyond that which is required of them. Officers Anthony Sarno and Christopher Meyler, along with Forked River Fire Department Lieutenant Rob Anderson and  Forked River Firefighter James Barker, were each honored and presented with the Valor Award.

On November 25, 2016, at 12:09 a.m., Officers Anthony Sarno and Christopher Meyler responded to a structure fire located on the 1800 block of Serpentine Drive in Forked River. Officers learned that an elderly woman was trapped inside the residence. Upon arrival, Officer Meyler broke out a window on  the south side of the garage and entered the home attempting to locate the trapped victim. Officer Meyler heard the victim shouting and had determined where she was located. However, due to the heavy smoke and poor visibility Officer Meyler had to quickly exit the garage. After a brief period Officer Meyler entered the garage again in search of the victim. Officer Sarno and Firefighters Anderson and Barker arrived on scene. Officer Sarno and Firefighters Anderson and Barker entered the garage to assist Officer Meyler.  Once inside the victim was located in the garage and they began to pull her to the window. Officer Sarno then exited the window.  With the assistance of Officer Julie Barcalow, Officer Scott Keefe, and Forked River Fire Chief Ray Brandmahl, they pulled the victim out of the window, while Officer Meyler and Firefighters Anderson and Barker lifted her up from inside. The victim was brought through the window and outside to safety. The actions of the Police Officers and Firefighters saved the victim’s life.

In December of 2016, the Lacey Township Police Department held its Annual Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony, both Officers Sarno and Meyler were recognized for their actions during this structure fire, receiving the Medal of Honor and Lifesaving Awards. In addition, Officers Julie Barcalow and Scott Keefe were recognized for their actions. Officer Barcalow was presented with an award for Exceptional Duty and Officer Keefe was presented with an award for Honorable Duty.

I would like to congratulate Officers Sarno and Meyler, along with Firefighters Anderson and Barker on their awards. Additionally, I would like to thank all of the police officers, firefighters and EMS who responded during the early morning hours on November 25th, 2016.  Working together a life was saved.

The below photo depicts (in no particular order) Forked River Fire Lieutenant Rob Anderson, Forked River Firefighter James Barker, Officer Anthony Sarno and Christopher Meyler, as they receive their Valor Awards from the 200 Club of Ocean County.

-Chief Michael C. DiBella