Red Bank Police officers honored for disarming a suspect with a stolen handgun in April with the Mayor and Borough Council and three 11th District legislators. (Photo courtesy of Red Bank Police Department Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
It’s a display of patience and calm that certainly seemed deserving of some sort of honor:
As a man who just crashed his car into another driver’s vehicle rambles on and on and on about his father being a police officer, his weight struggles and other topics; addresses a police officer as “girl’ and “bitch” and even partially drops his pants, Red Bank Police Officer Grace Magguilli keeps her cool for nearly an hour before officers slap the cuffs on him and haul him in for DWI.
The thousands of viewers and hundreds of commenters on the bodycam video of the incident uploaded to a sensationalistic Youtube account were not the only ones impressed.
Her handling of the incident was part of the reason Magguilli was on a list of ten officers honored by the Mayor and Borough Council and Red Bank’s three state legislators Thursday night.
The officers were cited for an assortment of extraordinary and life-saving actions taken in the line of duty over the past year, and as State Sen. Vin Gopal put it, “putting their lives on the line for us every day.”
“Tonight we are honoring some amazing police officers who do such incredible things, that it just blows me away when I read about this,’’ Assemblywoman Margie Donlon said.
Officers Jeff Lewandowski, Darren McConnell, Sgt. Matthew Ehrenreich and Lt. Sean Kennedy and Sgt. John Camarca were honored for an April 29 arrest of a man wielding a stolen gun near the Windmill Hot Dogs location on Bridge Avenue. (see video below)
“Their swift and colloborative action prevented harm and ensured justice, exemplifying the highest standards of law enforcement,” said Assemblywoman Margie Donlon at the Thursday meeting of the Red Bank Borough and Council at which the officers were honored.
Officers Gary Watson and Paul Perez, Jhonatan Quispe, Detective Mike Zadlock were honored for performing life saving measures on someone who was choking during the Borough’s National Night Out celebration in August.
“This incident was a true group effort, showcasing the officers’ quick response, professionalism, and dedication to protecting the public,” Chief Mike Frazee said in a prepared statement. “Each officer played a key role—from Det. Perez’s initial awareness to the victim choking to Officers Zadlock and Watson performing the Heimlich Maneuver, as well as the post care by Officer Quispe. Their actions were exemplary, and they are to be commended for their teamwork and commitment to serving the community.”
Red Bank Police officers honored for saving the life of a choking victim with the Mayor and Borough Council and three 11th District legislators. (Video screen grab courtesy of Red Bank Police Department. Click to enlarge.)
Magguili (pictured below holding plaque) was cited and presented a plaque from Chief Mike Frazee not only for the June 3 “complex DUI investigation” and subsequent arrest but also for leading the department in DUI arrests for three straight years (and likely a fourth in 2024).
Officer Grace Magguilli and Chief Mike Frazee. (photo courtesy of Red Bank Police Department)
“Her commitment to public safety and attention to detail continue to make a significant impact on the community,” Donlon. “We are so grateful.”
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
