Voorhees Police honored by Chief and Mayor
Last month, three Voorhees Police officers responded to a call they will never forget.
Officers Nicholas Gruber, William Walsh and Daniel Scheets were on duty when police assistance was needed at the Avalon Court Complex.
The three were told to look for the suspect in a silver Nissan with a front rainbow tag.
Knowing the suspect was armed and dangerous, the officers noticed the vehicle parked off to the side of Centennial Boulevard. Police presented themselves to the suspect and told the man to surrender.
After encountering the three officers, 39-year-old Dr. Giocondo Navek of Williamstown took his own life.
Just minutes before, he had shot and killed Dr. Payman Houshmandpour near Centennial Boulevard. The two had worked together at Virtua Hospital close to two years ago.
Police Chief Keith Hummel, along with Mayor Michael Mignogna and Voorhees committee members, honored the three officers at last night’s township committee meeting before dozens of officers, friends and family members.
Hummel said he was proud of the work the officers did that day and said the three were instrumental in preventing further injury and death.
“In my opinion, they stopped a very tragic situation,” Hummel said. “They pulled the car over knowing the person could possibly use deadly force. They did a good job.”
Hummel presented each of the three officers a commendation plaque for their work that day.
Mignogna said the department is thankful to have Gruber, Walsh and Scheets on board to keep Voorhees safe.
“Congratulations to the three officers. I for one am very proud of you,” Mignogna said. “It makes me proud to be mayor of this town.”
Committeeman Michael Friedman added his words of thanks and support to the three officers.
“You allow my family and all other families to sleep well at night,” Friedman said.
