SEA GIRT, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A borough police officer was not seriously injured when he struck a building with his patrol vehicle while on duty yesterday afternoon, and the cause of the collision is under investigation, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Wednesday.
Shortly after 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the 27-year-old Class II officer was responding to a first-aid call originating from the 1000 block of Ocean Avenue when his 2019 Ford Explorer left the roadway and drove onto a property on the 100 block of Beacon Boulevard, according to the preliminary investigation. The vehicle struck a cottage on the property and came to rest after striking a trailer. No one was home at the property at the time, and no civilians were injured.
The officer was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center Trauma Unit in Neptune City, where he agreed to provide a blood sample and turn over his cell phone to investigators with the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART). Monmouth County Fleet Services towed the vehicle back to the Monmouth County Central Motor Pool for further investigation. The officer, who joined the Sea Girt Police Department in June, has since been discharged from the hospital.
SEA GIRT, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Just prior to the start of the 4th of July, Sea Girt’s Police Department received a 9-1-1 call for a surfer pulled from the waters off of Baltimore Blvd at 8:59am on Sunday, July 4th. Chief Lifeguard and Director of Beachfront Operations, Tim Harmon heard the call for service go out during the morning roll call and assignment briefing. Harmon and Lifeguards Emma Hecht and Brianna Murphy were first on scene along with Lt. John O’Connor and Patrolman First Class William Joule of the Sea Girt Police Department to a call of CPR in progress. Bystanders walking the beach that morning observed the surfer face down in the water and quickly pulled the 58 year old Brick Township man ashore. Sea Girt’s Lifeguards quickly made an assessment of the situation and continued CPR. After performing multiple rounds of CPR for eight minutes the Lifeguards regained a pulse and the victim was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center by Brielle Volunteer First Aid. Tim Harmon said, “Our training and preparedness proved its worth today as all the cogs of the wheel for situations like this just clicked. Many thanks to the good Samaritans for their initial help in removing the individual from the water and initial assessment. I am very proud of our Lifeguards and our mutual aid EMS plan with neighboring Manasquan Mobile Rescue and how they all responded today. They all worked effectively and tirelessly to bring this man back to life.”
Fast forward 24 hours, déjà vu seemed to become a reality. The call for service rang out again at 8:43am Monday, July 5th, for a medical episode at the same location on Baltimore Blvd. Beach. Once again, Sea Girt’s Police and Lifeguards responded to a report of a 53 year old Edison Township man who had collapsed on the beach while walking. Lt. O’Connor and PFC Joule arrived and recognized the man was unconscious and not breathing. PFC Joule began CPR and awaited the arrival of Lifeguards, Chief Lifeguard Tim Harmon, Lifeguard Sgt. Will Sodano, Brianna Murphy and Lifeguard EMT Emma Hecht. After fifteen minutes of CPR the Lifeguards were able to regain a pulse and assist in the transport of the 53 year old to Jersey Shore Medical Center by Manasquan Volunteer First Aid. Police Chief Justin Macko said, “It is great to see that a collaborative effort between citizens, police, lifeguards, EMS and paramedics providing immediate life saving measures saved two lives over the 4th of July weekend.”
The Sea Girt Beach Patrol is a United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) certified agency, having received certification in 1997 and consistently train in the area of oceanfront rescue.
Borough Administrator Jim Gant said, “When I heard of the efforts of all involved I was incredibly proud to know that our Borough and our beaches are protected by some of the most highly trained public safety professionals around, their devotion to their profession is second to none, and it’s just in them to serve. Lt. John O’Connor, Chief Lifeguard Tim Harmon, Beach Manager Jim Freda, LG Lt. Matt Harmon, PFC William Joule, LG Sgt. Ed Krausser, LG Sgt. Will Sodano, LG EMT Zack Milko, LG EMT Ed Oser, LG EMT Emma Hecht, LG Brianna Murphy, LG Tyler Goldsmith and LG Kristin Ditomasso all deserve to be recognized for their life saving efforts.”
It is important to note the mutual aid response by the Manasquan Mobile Rescue Team, Hackensack Meridian Advanced Life Support Unit, Brielle Volunteer Rescue Squad and Manasquan Volunteer Rescue Squad. Councilwoman Melissa Giegerich, Chairwoman of the Beachfront Management Committee said, “We are extremely grateful for our lifeguards and police. They saved two lives in two days which is incredible. Their training and dedication is unsurpassed.” The Borough of Sea Girt extends wishes of recovery to both families.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–West Trenton, N.J. – It is with great sadness that Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announces that Recruit Lucas C. Homeijer, 27, of Boonton, N.J. passed away yesterday after sustaining an injury during training at the New State Police academy. On Wednesday, November 25, Recruit Homeijer, who was a member of the 161st New Jersey State Police Academy Class, was engaged in an active countermeasures/boxing bout with a fellow classmate at the State Police academy in Sea Girt Borough, Monmouth County. During the bout, he lost consciousness. Academy staff immediately stopped the exercise, rendered first aid, and contacted emergency medical services to respond. Recruit Homeijer was transported to a local area hospital where he received treatment for several days before succumbing to his injuries. The circumstances surrounding this incident are under review, and no further information is being provided at this time.
The black line symbolizes a “mourning band” and is a solid black band that will fit tightly around your agency’s badge. For most badges, the mourning band should be worn straight across the center of the badge.
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