On April 4, 2024, at about 1651 hours, Newark Police responded to a single vehicle crash into a telephone pole on Capitol Trail (SR 2) near East Cleveland Avenue.  Responding officers were advised that the driver of the vehicle fled from the scene on foot and they were provided with a physical description of the driver.

Officers located the driver, identified as Kouwamia Berry, 38, of Middletown, a short distance away and took her into custody without incident.

Evidence was gathered indicating that Berry was impaired at the time of the crash.  Berry was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries from the crash.  She was released back into Newark Police custody.  Berry had previously been court-ordered not to drive a vehicle.

Berry was charged with:

• Fourth Offense Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence
• Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash
• Breach of Release
• Additional traffic offenses

Berry appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $12,000 cash bail. Berry was turned over to the custody of the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle.

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:

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