Officers from towns in Mercer, Burlington, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Union and Atlantic counties graduated Friday.
WEST WINDSOR -- Forty-four police officers from agencies in six New Jersey counties graduated from the Mercer County Police Academy Friday morning during a ceremony at Mercer County Community College.
Twenty of the officers are from the Trenton Police Department, and about half of all graduates received their certificates from a relative in law enforcement.
A number of Mercer County leaders and law enforcement officials addressed the graduates.
Mercer County Undersheriff Pedro Medina told the graduates that the people they serve will ask for their commitment and courage "despite any obstacles or threats placed in front of you."
"I ask you to remember that we are all brothers and sisters who are sworn and united to protect the public and keep watch over out communities," Medina said in his address.
Academy Director Martin Masseroni handed out the following special awards:
- Academic Achievement, John J. Murphy, IV, Trenton Police Dept.
- Police Training Commission Merit Award (peer voted), Nicholas W. Mahan, Trenton Police Dept.
- Emergency Vehicle Operations Award, Gary P. Hill, Mercer County Sheriff's Office.
- Firearms Award, Erin K. Douglas, Trenton Police Dept., Ryan M. Kadezabek, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office.
- Physical Training Award, Jose A. Liriano, Ventnor City Police Dept., Michael J. Stefanelli, Jr., Hamilton Twp. Police Dept.
51 central N.J. officers graduate academy
The full list of graduates, and their department:
Kristen B. Albertson, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Police Department
Michael J. Applegate, Alternate Route
Erick B. Avalos, Trenton Police Department
Robert L. Balestrieri, Trenton Police Department
Maureen A. Bocknack, Middlesex County Sheriff's Office
Stephen J. Campi, Trenton Police Department
Steven L. Ciosek, Princeton University Public Safety
Erin K. Douglas, Trenton Police Department
Jennifer N. Eyster-Valyo, Trenton Police Department
Amber-Skye Fontanella, Rahway Police Department
Michael H. Frace, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
Scott P. Frazee, Mercer County Sheriff's Office
Richard Gonzalez, Trenton Police Department
Gary P. Hill, Jr., Mercer County Sheriff's Office
Michael W. Hirschfeld, Delanco Police Department
Darryl C. Howard II, Beverly City Police Department
Drew C. Inman, Trenton Police Department
Freddy A. Jimenez, Trenton Police Department
Ryan M. Kadezabek, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
Mark W. Kieffer III, Trenton Police Department
Jose A. Liriano, Ventnor City Police Department
John Ryan Lyle, Mercer County Sheriff's Office
Nicholas W. Mahan, Trenton Police Department
Joseph S. McCarthy, Trenton Police Department
Sean D. McDonald, Trenton Police Department
John J. Murphy, IV, Trenton Police Department
David J. Osnato, Jr,. Mercer County Sheriff's Office
Sam A. Paolicelli, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
Hiep P. Pham, Princeton University Public Safety
Melvin Pion, Trenton Police Department
Daniel J. Piotrowski, Trenton Police Department
Nicholas P. Piotrowski, Trenton Police Department
Robert A. Plimpton, III Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
Gilbert Quinones, Jr., The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Police Department
Matthew M. Sickler, Mercer County Sheriff's Office
David A. Soto, II, Trenton Police Department
Michael J. Stefanelli, Jr. Hamilton Township Police Department
Harrison P. Steimle, Trenton Police Department
Zachary A. Tevoli, N. Brunswick Township Police Depart.
Nicholas C. Tsentas, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
Domenic D. Tuccillo, Trenton Police Department
Kevin J. Williams, Jr., Trenton Police Department
Matthew L. Workman, North Brunswick Police Department
Patrick R. Zegarski, Mercer County Sheriff's Office
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