Woodbridge honors three officers for lifesaving CPR, swears in new officer

Woodbridge Mayor John McCormick and township leaders on the meeting’s opening night presented proclamations recognizing three police officers for a lifesaving response at the mayor’s summer concert series on July 9, 2024. The proclamation says Officer Stephanie Lage located a concertgoer who had suffered a seizure and had no pulse; she and Detective Eric Manresa initiated CPR and, according to the text read at the dais, Officer Russell Van Lew — a New Jersey‑certified EMT — assisted during transfer to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. "These 3 police officers are responsible for someone being alive today because of their quick action," McCormick said during the ceremony.

Police Director Bob Bubner told the council the department has honored multiple lifesaving actions in the past year and presented proclamations to the officers. Detective Eric Manresa, one of the officers recognized, thanked trainers and colleagues for ongoing instruction that he said contributed to the successful outcome: "Some of that are new here... we came out with a successful outcome," he said.

The mayor also used the event to swear in Officer Jimmy Steve Nunez. According to remarks read at the meeting, Nunez, 26, is an Avenel lifelong resident, a graduate of Colonial High School and Rutgers University with prior service at the New Jersey Transit Police Department; he will be assigned to the radio patrol division. The municipal clerk administered the oath of office; Director Bubner presented a badge and welcomed Nunez to the force.

The recognitions and the swearing‑in were followed by brief council remarks and photographs. The council did not take formal policy action related to the lifesaving incidents at the meeting; the proclamations and the swearing‑in were ceremonial and personnel items concluded at the start of the agenda.