Officer of the Month
Every day, members of the PPD perform extraordinary acts in service to the community. But too often, these acts are not properly recognized. We are proud to launch a new initiative, where each month we recognize an employee who went above and beyond the call of duty. We want to ensure that Paterson’s Finest receive the recognition they deserve when they exceed our expectations and ensure that the public is aware of their distinct achievements. We hope that this will not only inspire future acts of kindness and service but also strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they protect.
Congratulations to March’s Officer of the Month, Officer Nelson Paez
In March of 2024 Officer Nelson Paez investigated the hit and run of a young girl that left her seriously injured. Through his investigation he was able to identify a suspect and arrest him in connection to the crime. Additionally, he successfully arrested a suspect in another hit and run in February that left another female juvenile injured. Thanks to his outstanding efforts, two individuals were charged for injuring children on the streets of Paterson and Officer Paez has been named the March 2024 Officer of the Month.
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Previous Honorees
February 2024 -- Officer Daniel Driscoll
Congratulations to February's Officer of the Month, Officer Daniel Driscoll
In February of 2024 Officer Daniel Driscoll responded to a call where an individual was in possession of a firearm. He and other officers safely took the individual into custody without incident and recover the gun. Later in the month, Officer Driscoll responded to a report of an armed robbery, with one of the suspects matching the description of an individual on the department’s most wanted list. He and another officer arrested the suspect without incident. Thanks to his vigilance and courage in the face of danger, he was able to take a gun and two violent individuals off the streets of Paterson. For his efforts, he has been named the February 2024 Officer of the Month.
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January 2024 - Sgt. Sean Reed
Congratulations to January's Officer of the Month, Sgt. Sean Reed
In January of 2024, Sgt. Sean Reed of the Paterson Police Department’s Traffic Unit coordinated road closures, traffic escorts, and overall logistics for the Funeral of Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. On top of his regular duties of overseeing the Traffic Unit day to day operations and traffic grants, he worked alongside city, county and state agencies so ensure everything was taken care of outside of the Cathedral. For the countless hours he put into such a large-scale operation while successfully completing other assignments Sgt. Reed has been named the Paterson Police Department’s January 2024 Officer of the month. #PPDNextGen
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December 2023 - Officer Nigel Burgess and Officer Ikmet Shej
Congratulations to December's Officers of the Month, Officer Nigel Burgess and Officer Ikmet Shej
In December of 2023 Officer Nigel Burgess and Officer Ikmet Shej responded to a call of suspicious persons with weapons. When they got out of their patrol vehicle they saw two suspects who began to run and then split up. During the subsequent foot pursuit, both suspects were apprehended and a gun was recovered from one of them. For their incredible bravery in the face of danger and getting a firearm and two suspects off the streets of Paterson, Officers Shej and Burgess have been named the Paterson Police Department’s December Officers of the Month.
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November 2023 - Officer Sandy Valera and Officer Noel Irizarry
Congratulations to November's Officers of the Month, Officer Sandy Valera and Officer Noel Irizarry
In November of 2023 Officer Sandy Valera and Officer Noel Irizarry were responding to a call when they heard gunshots. They exited their patrol vehicle and saw a suspect running towards them who they were able to arrest without incident and recovered a firearm. For their dedication and vigilance in the face of danger they have been named the Paterson Police Department’s November Officers of the Month.
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October 2023 - Detective Serein Tamimi, Detective James Favia, and Detective Ahmad Awawdeh
Congratulations to October's Officers of the Month, Detective Serein Tamimi, Detective James Favia, and Detective Ahmad Awawdeh
In October of 2023, Detective Serein Tamimi, Detective James Favia, and Detective Ahmad Awawdeh worked tirelessly to solve three homicides that occurred earlier in the month with arrests. Thanks to their dedication to the people of Paterson they were able to take three violent individuals off the streets and bring some closure to three families. For their efforts, they have been named the October 2023 Officers of the Month.
September 2023 - Officer Jeury De Jesus
Congratulations to September's Officer of the Month, Officer Jeury De Jesus
In September of 2023, Officer Jeury De Jesus responded to a call when he became aware of an individual who was in possession of a gun. He and other officers were able to safely take the individual with a firearm into custody without incident. Thanks to his dedication and courage in the face of danger, he was able to take a gun off the streets of Paterson and ensured a peaceful end to a situation that could have ended with violence. For his efforts, he has been named the September 2023 Officer of the Month.
August 2023 - Officer Tyron Myers, Officer Jensin Burgos, and Officer Andy Polanco
Congratulations to August's Officers of the Month, Officer Tyron Myers, Officer Jensin Burgos, and Officer Andy Polanco
While responding to a call in August 2023, Officer Tyron Myers, Officer Jensin Burgos, and Officer Andy Polanco recognized an individual who had a warrant out for his arrest and took him into custody without incident. Thanks to their awareness and vigilance, a wanted suspect was taken off the streets. For their efforts and commitment to public safety, they have been named the August 2023 Officers of the Month.
July 2023 - Detective Muhammed Dombayci and Detective Brian Culmone
Congratulations to July's Officers of the Month, Detective Muhammed Dombayci and Detective Brian Culmone
While on patrol in July 2023, Detective Muhammed Dombayci and Detective Brian Culmone recognized an individual who was wanted for a shooting following a traffic stop. The officers took him into custody without incident and recovered a gun in the vehicle he was sitting in. Thanks to their quick actions, a violent individual was apprehended and an illegal gun was removed from the streets of our city. For their efforts and commitment to public safety, they have been named the July 2023 Officers of the Month.
June 2023 - Officers Jaime and Al Mejia
Congratulations to June's Officers of the Month, Officers Jamie and Al Mejia
Officers Jaime and Al Mejia, known affectionately by the community as the Mejia brothers, have a combined 80 years protecting and serving the people of Paterson. They are fixtures in the community and known by most city residents for their compassion and professionalism. As members of Community Policing they work with residents and mentor young members of the community to keep them on the right track. Over the month of June Jaime and Al have worked tirelessly with our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative on Broadway. For their efforts and commitment to public safety they have been named the June 2023 Officers of the Month. #PPDNextGen
May 2023 - Detectives Wisam Salameh and Corey Davis
Congratulations to May's Officers of the Month, Detectives Wisam Salameh and Corey Davis
While on patrol in May 2023, Detective Wisam Salameh and Detective Corey Davis identified a wanted individual from a previously issued bulletin regarding a violent incident that had occurred in Paterson. The Detectives successfully took him into custody and safely recovered a semi-automatic handgun in his possession. Thanks to Detectives Davis and Salameh's vigilance and quick actions, a violent individual was apprehended and a dangerous firearm was removed from the streets of our city. For their efforts and commitment to public safety, they have been named the May 2023 Officers of the Month.
April 2023 - Lieutenant Jason Bernasconi
Congratulations to April's Officer of the Month, Lieutenant Jason Bernasconi
On two separate occasions in April 2023, Lieutenant Jason Bernasconi utilized his training, experience, and sound judgment to successfully coordinate the resolution of incidents involving persons in crisis who were in imminent danger of harming themselves. In one of these incidents, the person was armed with a knife.
Lt. Bernasconi acted with professionalism and compassion, at times putting his personal safety at risk to ensure a successful resolution to these incidents without harm to anyone present. For his courage and demonstration of excellence in his assignment Lt. Jason Bernasconi has been named the April 2023 Officer of the Month.
