Edward Kirschenbaum Succeeds Mary Pat Angelini as President 

SPRING LAKE, NJ — The 200 Club of Monmouth County proudly honored the courage, professionalism, and lifesaving service of Monmouth County first responders during its 54th Annual Valor Awards Luncheon, held June 5 at Spring Lake Golf Club.

The annual event recognized police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and emergency responders whose extraordinary actions protected lives, safeguarded communities, and exemplified the highest traditions of public service.

This year’s ceremony featured awards in four categories — Certificates of Recognition, Commendation Awards, Merit Awards, and Valor Awards — recognizing acts of lifesaving intervention, criminal apprehension, tactical leadership, rescue operations, crisis de-escalation, and extraordinary heroism under dangerous conditions.

Additionally, Edward D. Kirschenbaum Sr. was sworn-in as President, succeeding outgoing President Mary Pat Angelini. Kirschenbaum is the first former law enforcement officer to serve as President in the history of the 200 Club of Monmouth.

“This event honors the first responders who heroically place themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” said President Edward Kirschenbaum. “The courage, dedication, teamwork, and selflessness displayed by this year’s recipients represent the very best of public service in Monmouth County.”

The luncheon featured keynote remarks from Sergeant Kenneth Hogan (Ret.), Union County’s Chief Resiliency Program Officer, decorated former Irvington police sergeant, and nationally recognized advocate for officer resiliency and wellness. Hogan, who survived being shot in the line of duty during his law enforcement career, shared his experiences and message of resilience and service.

Honorees represented departments and agencies throughout Monmouth County, including the Asbury Park Police Department, Howell Township Police Department and EMS, Keansburg Police Department, Keansburg Fire Department, Long Branch Fire Department, Middletown Township Police Department, Neptune Township Police Department, Union Beach Police Department, Wall Township Police Department, West Long Branch Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and DEA Task Force personnel.

Among those recognized with Certificates of Recognition were responders credited with saving lives through emergency medical intervention, water rescues, crisis de-escalation, firearm recoveries, and emergency responses to motor vehicle crashes, mental health incidents, and public safety emergencies. Recipients included personnel from Asbury Park, Howell Township, Keansburg, Long Branch, Middletown Township, and Wall Township.

Commendation Awards recognized first responders who demonstrated exceptional initiative, tactical awareness, and professionalism during dangerous encounters involving armed suspects, submerged vehicles, fires, narcotics investigations, and emotionally disturbed individuals. Departments honored included Asbury Park, Howell Township, Keansburg, and Neptune Township.

Recipients of Merit Awards were honored for coordinated police and fire operations involving armed offenders, violent crime suppression, proactive policing, and dramatic rescue efforts during a rapidly spreading structure fire involving trapped occupants. Merit Award recipients included members of the Asbury Park Police Department, Neptune Township Police Department, Keansburg Police Department, Keansburg Fire Department, and West Long Branch Police Department.

The organization’s highest honor, the Valor Award, recognized acts of extraordinary courage in life-threatening circumstances.

2026 Valor Award recipients included:

• Detective Anthony Troublefield, Asbury Park Police Department, for pursuing and apprehending an armed homicide suspect despite being alone and engaged in a violent struggle while outnumbered.

• Officers Alexander Parisi, Marc Caldwell, and Lorenzo Pettway, Asbury Park Police Department, for subduing an armed suspect resisting arrest inside a crowded convenience store and preventing a potentially deadly encounter.

• Members of the Keansburg Police Department, including Patrolman Tyler Manges, Sergeant John Swartz, Sergeant George Neckles, Patrolman Athena Neckles, and SLEO II Andrew Valle, for their courageous response to a volatile incident involving an individual wielding a running chainsaw.

• Patrolman Ivan Guzman, recognized for repeatedly entering a burning residence to rescue a trapped victim from heavy smoke conditions.

• Members of the Union Beach Police Department, including Sergeant Matthew Deickmann, Detective James O’Toole, Officer Donald Higgins, Officer Caitlyn Artese, and Officer Kevin Richards, for entering a smoke-filled home and rescuing a trapped resident from a rapidly spreading fire.

Founded to support the families of police officers, firefighters, and first responders killed in the line of duty, the 200 Club of Monmouth County continues its longstanding mission of honoring service, supporting families, and ensuring sacrifices made in the line of duty are never forgotten.

“The bravery demonstrated by this year’s honorees serves as a powerful reminder of the risks first responders face every day,” said outgoing President Mary Pat Angelini. “The 200 Club is proud to recognize their service and stand with the families and communities they protect.”

For more information about the 200 Club of Monmouth County or to become a member, visit www.monmouth200club.com.