Hometown heroes: galloway police honored for service, support at council meeting

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Several members of the Galloway Township Police Department were honored during Tuesday night’s township council meeting for their service, dedication, and support of military personnel, with officers receiving formal recognition and national commendations.

Key Points

Communications staff were recognized for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
Two officers received the Patriot Award for military support.
Officer Alvin Cantona presented the department with a U.S. flag carried in Syria.

Public safety telecommunicators honored

Mayor Anthony Coppola Jr. opened the meeting by presenting a proclamation recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The honor went to Communications Supervisor Elizabeth Longo and Communications Operator Carly Keiser, on behalf of the township’s communications team. The weeklong observance, held annually during the second week of April, celebrates the efforts of public safety dispatchers and telecommunicators.

Galloway Township officials praised the department’s communications staff as a “highly skilled and professional group” for their service in coordinating public safety responses.

Patriot Awards presented for military support

Following the proclamation, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award was presented to Sergeant First Class Stephen Vernon and Sergeant Kenneth Snuffer. The award recognizes individuals who provide extraordinary support to service members.

The presentation was made by Officer Alvin Cantona alongside Command Sergeant Major Ian Lumley, Captain Lorenzo D. Majied, and State ESGR representative Alan Smith.

Officer returns from Syria with gesture of thanks

Officer Cantona, who recently returned from deployment in Syria, personally thanked the department and township for their support during his tour. As a gesture of appreciation, he presented the police department with a folded U.S. flag that he carried with him throughout his deployment.

The meeting closed with public acknowledgment of the honored officers and a welcome home to Cantona.

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