New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Colligan today announced that New Jersey’s 14^th Legislative District Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo received the prestigious Civilian Gold Medal Award at the PBA’s 124^th Annual Valor Awards Banquet at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City Saturday night.  This year’s Awards Banquet also saw 2020’s honorees publicly recognized.

Members of law enforcement from throughout the state received awards for their heroism and commitment to duty throughout the evening, including Joseph L. Sles IV of Montgomery Township PBA #355 as Executive Board Member of the Year for 2020 and Brian Browlie of East Brunswick #15 as Executive Board Member of the Year for 2021.  Brian Trotman of Springfield PBA #76 was recognized as PBA Member of the Year for 2020 along with Mauro Farallo of Passaic PBA #14 as PBA Member of the Year for 2021 while Cherry Hill PBA #176 was recognized PBA Local of the Year for 2020 and Hopewell PBA #342 was recognized as PBA Local of the Year for 2021.

Colligan and the NJSPBA also took a moment at this year’s banquet to honor Paul Nunziato, President of the Port Authority PBA #116 with the Friend in Labor Award for 2020 and bestowed Joseph Sanzari, the President and CEO of Joseph M. Sanzari, Inc. with the Friend in Labor Award for 2021. and Capital Benefits, Joseph C. Ablahani and Eric Murtha with the 2021 Business Appreciation Award.

State Senator Vin Gopal of New Jersey’s 11^th Legislative District was named 2020 Legislator of the Year and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight of New Jersey’s 29^th Legislative District was named the 2021 Legislator of the Year at the banquet.

Assemblyman DeAngelo received his Civilian Gold Medal Award in acknowledgement of his saving one of his table mate’s lives at the last Awards banquet.  The Assemblyman had been sitting next to an individual who began to choke on his meal and, upon noticing this individual in distress, provided the life-saving Heimlich Maneuver.

“Saturday night gave us the opportunity to salute and celebrate the many fine men and women in law enforcement who are protecting streets and communities throughout the state every day while also acknowledging just some of the few exemplary corporate and legislative partners we are proud to call friends,” said Colligan.  “We were also able to honor Ms. Wallace for the fine work she and her team do in fairly and accurately chasing down the truth, wherever it may lead, and bringing it to their viewers.”

Colligan continued, “When it came time for the Valor Awards Committee to determine this year’s Civilian Gold Medal Award winner, Assemblyman DeAngelo was a clear-cut choice.  The Assemblyman’s been doing the work down in Trenton to fight for his constituents and he, literally, saved someone’s life at our last Awards banquet.  It’s clearly not our intention to set that as the bar for future recipients, but Wayne’s heroic actions will certainly be the Gold Standard moving forward.”