In a ceremony on April 3, 2024, Chief Mark Farrall presented awards to Newark Police officers & employees, an officer from the University of Delaware Police Department and civilians for their work in 2023.
Additionally, Chief Farrall formally introduced the Newark Police Department’s newest police chaplains: Pastor Kevin Benjamin and Pastor Lonnie Rector.
The awards presented included the Nowinski Award, one of the Newark Police Department’s highest awards, for two officers who assisted a victim at a fatal crash and held her hand while she was gravely injured. Two officers were also presented the Citation for Bravery for running towards gunfire that occurred a short distance from where they were walking foot patrol.
Officers were also presented awards for noteworthy arrests and “going above and beyond” on cases they investigated. Dispatchers were presented awards for their exceptional work juggling phone calls and radio transmissions, while managing specific, stressful calls for service.
Our school resource officers and other members of the agency were recognized for their work protecting students and investigation of threats at the schools in Newark.
One civilian was recognized for assisting an officer in a foot pursuit, while a United Parcel Service employee was awarded for recognizing fraud in a package he was delivering, thereby preventing thousands of dollars in losses to a customer.
The following is a complete list of those who were recognized at the ceremony:
| Nowinski Award | ||
| M/Cpl D. Bystricky | Cpl. D. Burgess | |
| Citation for Bravery | ||
| Lt. G. D’Elia | Cpl D. Burgess | Cpl. A. Vari |
| Chief’s Citation | ||
| Lt. G. D’Elia | ||
| Citation for Merit | ||
| M/Cpl C. McKennon | CO N. Perregrino | |
| Unit Citation | ||
| Capt. S. Rieger | M/Cpl M. Menden | Cpl. J. Roberts |
| Lt. T. Bolden | Cpl. D. Faulk | Cpl. R. Vernon |
| Lt. F. Nelson | Cpl. T. Gerasimov | Cpl. B. Walker |
| Sgt. J. Conover | Cpl. N. Graber | Cpl. R. Zappaterrini |
| Sgt. B. Potocki | Cpl. P. Klein | PO J. Carter |
| Sgt. J. Skinner | Cpl. M. LaRue | PO A. Cook |
| Sgt. W. Smith | Cpl. J. Lee | PO R. Hultberg |
| M/Cpl W. Anderson | Cpl. A. Mease | PO J. Saitis |
| M/Cpl D. Bystricky | Cpl. K. Odom | |
| M/Cpl J. Kendrick | Cpl. A. Pagnotti |
| DUI Enforcement Ribbon | ||
| M/Cpl C. McKennon | PO J. Saitis | PO M. Tornetta |
| Letter of Commendation | ||
| Sgt. J. Conover | Cpl. T. Gerasimov | Det. P. Ramone (UDPD) |
| M/Cpl A. Golden | Cpl. R. Zappaterrini | Mr. Art Lewis |
| M/Cpl C. McKennon | PO J. Carter | Mr. Tom Wolhar |
| M/Cpl D. Whitt | CO II A. Vernon | |
2023 Annual Awards Conferred by Outside Organizations
Lion’s Club Officer of the Year Cpl. D. Burgess
Newark Rotary Club Officer of the Year Cpl. A. Pagnotti
Crimestoppers Officer of the Year Nominee Sgt. G. Micolucci
Knights of Columbus Officer of the Quarter Award
First Quarter Cpl. A. Pagnotti
Second Quarter Cpl. D. Burgess
Third Quarter PO R. Hultberg
Fourth Quarter Cpl. A. Vari
