Several Middletown Township police officers and firefighters were recognized this week for their actions.
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At Monday’s Middletown Township Board of Supervisors meeting, police Chief Joseph Bartorilla took to the podium to recognize the public safety officials.
Officers Derek Leonhauser and Michael Stum and Firefighter Colby Fisher were awarded life-saving commendations, and Detective Andy Amoroso, Officer Tom Leinheiser, and Firefighter Matt Almeda were given commendatory citations for their quick-actions during a fiery January crash.
Leonhauser arrived to the scene of the crash between a car and a pickup truck on Brownsville Road on January 25 shortly after it was reported. He found the car burning and discovered the driver was trapped. He grabbed a fire extinguisher to keep the flames suppressed until additional officers and firefighters arrived.
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Stum responded and helped free the driver who was trapped from the burning car.
Leinheiser assisted with keeping the fire suppressed and aided firefighters freeing the driver. He also helped an injured officer.
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Amoroso helped keep the flames in check and directed firefighters to the vehicle. Additionally, he aided an injured officer.
Fisher arrived and worked to keep the fire from spreading and used a mechanical spreader to free the injured driver.
Almeda worked to free the driver and hold the fire back.
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While the driver was seriously injured, the actions of the officers and firefighters saved the driver from burning alive, Bartorilla said.
Detective Sgt. Matt Kroiss was given a commendatory citation for his investigative work on a contractor fraud case.
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A family having a home built on Jefferson Avenue in summer 2021 paid $162,000 to a contractor, but little work had been done and a stop work order had been issued by the township due to code violations. The contractor refused to pay the family back for uncompleted work, Bartorilla said.
Kroiss began an investigation, communicated with the victims, and had conversations with the contractor and their attorney, Bartorilla said.
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In the end, Kroiss got the contractor to pay back $150,000 to the family. The family decided they didn’t wish to pursue charges, the chief said.
Officer Mark Leonhauser and Detective Wayne George were handed commendatory citations for a January car stop and lengthy investigation that led to an arrest and the recovery of 14 stolen catalytic converters.
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Bartorilla also honored Mark Leonhauser for 25 years of service.
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