Manasquan Honors Police

Members of the Manasquan Police Department had a chance to shine during Monday evening's meeting of the Manasquan Mayor and Council.

Mayor George Dempsey read a proclamation honoring Sgt. Randall Craig, who recently retired. 

Craig began working for the borough as a beach badge checker in 1974. He become a special officer in 1975 and joined the Manasquan Police Department as a patrolman in June of 1981, becoming sergeant and patrol supervisor in 2002. 

During his time with the police department, Craig served the community in a variety of capacities including as DARE officer at Manasquan Elementary School.

Craig, a Manasquan resident, received more than 25 commendations during his service and Dempsey made special note of Craig's heroics, recalling a time when Craig saved a 3-year-old from a burning home.

Dempsey then proclaimed June 6, 2011 to be Randall B. Craig Recognition Day in the borough of Manasquan.

The mayor then read a letter of commendation and presented a lifesaving award to Lt. Michael Bauer and Officer Michael Stoia.

Dempsey recalled with pride an incident which occurred on May 1 of this year.

Responding to a request for first aid at an Ocean Avenue residence, Bauer and Stoia found a 75-year-old resident who had fallen and injured his head. While speaking to the officers, the man suddenly lost consciousness and the two officers administered CPR and defibrillation to help revive him.

The man's breathing and pulse were restored and he lived.

"This is what makes our police department so great," Dempsey said while shaking hands with the two officers.

Next, Dempsey swore Stoia in as police sergeant, replacing the recently retired Craig.

Stoia, a Barnegat resident, will be promoted effective immediately and will earn an annual salary of $96,317.