15 Morris County First Responders Honored for Heroic Saves

When ice cracks beneath your feet 100 yards from shore, every second counts. Fifteen first responders in Morris County proved they're ready for those moments.

The 200 Club of Morris County recently honored these heroes for five dramatic rescues throughout 2025. Their actions saved lives in situations ranging from ice rescues to violent crashes.

On February 19, four Mount Arlington firefighters rescued a man who fell through the ice while sailing on Lake Hopatcong. The victim was stranded 100 yards from shore in freezing water, but responders guided him back onto solid ice and used rescue harnesses to drag him to safety. He walked away without needing further treatment.

Nine days later, Chief Raymond Bock of the Netcong Fire Department crawled across Lake Musconetcong to reach an ice fisherman who had fallen through. Bock himself plunged through the ice twice during the rescue. With help from three other firefighters, both men made it back to shore safely despite breaking through again on the return trip.

That summer brought different dangers. On August 2, Firefighter/EMT Abbigail Dekker responded to a violent motorcycle crash on Route 10 in Denville. The rider had flipped multiple times and stopped breathing. Dekker performed chest compressions and brought him back to consciousness before he was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

The following rescues tested officers' ability to de-escalate dangerous situations. In Rockaway Township, Dover Officer Christopher Caraig was trapped after a man intentionally rammed his police car, then fled with a machete. Officers, including father and son Jose and Giordan Matos, found the man cutting his own arms and peacefully talked him into surrendering.

In Chatham that September, three officers confronted a domestic violence suspect holding a machete to his own neck. Despite being slashed multiple times, Sergeant Michael Bloom and Patrolmen Philip Masi and Brian McGrath successfully disarmed him and took him into custody.

Why This Inspires

These rescues showcase more than bravery. They demonstrate hours of training paying off in split-second decisions, teammates trusting each other in life-threatening conditions, and professionals staying calm when chaos erupts. Fire Chief Bock could have waited for backup when he fell through the ice twice, but he kept going. Officer Dekker could have frozen when the motorcyclist stopped breathing, but her training kicked in. These moments reveal what's possible when people dedicate themselves to protecting others.

The 200 Club's recognition ensures these heroes know their communities see them and appreciate their sacrifice.