The Monmouth and Ocean County Intelligence Bureau (MOCIB) held its annual awards ceremony recently where they recognized the work of local law enforcement agencies for their work during the past year.
As part of the ceremony the "Walter Witt President's Award was given to a wide ranging groups of organization for their "Multi-agency teamwork," according to Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd of the Howell Police Department.
Following the murder of Lakewood Police Officer Christopher Matlosz in Jan. of 2011 hundreds of police officers from many organizations took part in a 48 hour manhunt across the state to find his killer. The suspect, Jahmell Crockham, was found and later convicted for the killing of Officer Matlosz. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
The award was presented to the Lakewood, Howell, Jackson, Toms River, Manchester and Brick Police Departments. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Ocean County Sheriff's Department and New Jersey State Police were also honored. At the federal level the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the FBI and the US Marshall's Service were recognized for their efforts.
It is, as a matter of fact, inspirational. The assassination of Officer Matlosz was a tragedy. Thankk goodness the murderer was apprehended and justice dispensed. Minor criticisms aside, where would society be without dedicated Police Officers who might be called upon to sacrifice their lives for the verypeople who berate them?