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PBA MEMBER OF THE MONTH

PBA MEMBER OF THE MONTH

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November 2011 PBA Member of the Month

Sgt. Michael J. Messina

Brother Mike Messina was appointed to the police department in January of 1988. Mike has served on the executive board of Local 67 as both our President and Recording Secretary. 

Mike was promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and served as a supervisor in the patrol division. Mike was re-assigned to the detective bureau in 2001 where he served as Detective Sergeant. In that capacity, Mike supervised the bureau case load and worked very closely with his staff. 

Mike has many notable accomplishments during his tenure. During his first day on patrol as a police officer, Mike arrested a suspect responsible for a residential burglary. 

In December of 1992, Mike was involved in a confrontation with a male armed with a knife. Mike and several other officers were able to successfully arrest the suspect. The investigation that followed revealed the male had murdered his wife during a domestic violence incident.  

Mike was recognized for his DUI arrests by END-DWI in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

In January of 1995, Mike arrested a man in possession of a 9 MM semi-automatic handgun during a motor vehicle stop.

In November of 1998, Mike and Brother Lou Evangelista were investigating a suspicious male. The male produced a handgun. Evangelista and Messina wrestled the suspect to the ground and were able to take the gun from the suspect's hand before it was fired.

While assigned to the detective bureau in April of 2003, Mike was an integral part of the multi-state team of police officers that worked tirelessly to bring down a gun runner and drug dealer out of Passaic. This animal, Omar Marti was responsible for the vicious, cold blooded murder of our sister, Police Officer Mary Ann Collura. After a relentless pursuit up and down the east coast, Marti was shot and killed after a dangerous chase in Florida where Marti produced multiple high powered weapons and fired repeatedly at police. 

In 2010 Mike saved a medically compromised man's life from certain death. The man suffered a life threatening medical emergency while driving and lost control of his vehicle as it continued on Rt 208. Mike, alerted to the call from dispatch, observed the vehicle and without regard for his own life placed his patrol car in front of the subject vehicle. Mike was able to bring the vehicle to a stop saving the man's life and countless others.

In September of 2010, while investigating a narcotics prescription fraud case outside Walgreen's, he encountered two female suspects fleing from the store. Mike gave chase along with Brother Ken Cavanaugh. The suspects entered a vehicle and refused to comply with the officers direction. The driver backed into Brother Cavanaugh knocking him to the ground and then accelerated directly toward Mike. Mike, in imminent danger drew his service weapon and fired at the driver. Mike was run over and subsequently sustained a debilitating back injury as a result of the driver's actions. A manhunt ensued and both suspects were later arrested in Newark and charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.

Mike was a member of the Fair Lawn Honor Guard. He is a member of the Italian American Police Officer's Association, Honor Legion, Police Departments of New Jersey, Fair Lawn Cosmo's Club, and coaches baseball.

For Mike's actions as a police officer, past president and recording secretary for Local 67, he has been recognized as November's PBA Member of the Month.  A cops cop.



October 2011 PBA Member of the Month

Detective Jeff Welsh

Brother Jeffrey Welsh is one of those unsung heroes who diligently carries out his work with the finest of work ethics possible. He is a stickler for details and because of his attention to the minute details of cases, is able to solve many cases that others would have closed. Detective Welsh does not seek the spotlight, but quietly and efficiently carries out his work day by day.

Detective Welsh was instrumental in the investigation of the murder of Fair Lawn Police Officer Mary Ann Collura in 2003 and he has led the way in many high profile cases over the years. He is the senior Detective in the Detective Bureau and his expertise is sought out by junior detectives constantly. He excels in fraud investigations (i.e., banking, personal, etc…) and regularly works with the Secret Service and other government investigative agencies.

Detective Welsh is first and foremost a team player. Although he carries a very heavy caseload, he will always drop what he is doing to assist other officers or detectives in an investigation. His is a quiet, calm, and yet authoritative manner in which all involved are assured that everything that needs to be done in a case will be done.

Brother Welsh has been on the executive board of Local 67 for many years as our treasurer.  He has coordinated our fund raising efforts and has always been a vigorous advocate and mentor to our membership. His advice and counsel are often sought by both senior and junior officers alike.

For his actions as an outstanding police officer, treasurer and overall advocate for the PBA and community, Jeff has been recognized as October's PBA Member of the Month.

A true gentleman.

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