County Executive Neuhaus hosts second annual Meritorious Service Awards reception

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus hosted the second annual Meritorious Service Awards reception on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Graham Skea Lodge at Stony Ford Golf Course in Montgomery.

Awards were presented in the following categories: law enforcement, fire, Emergency and military service.

“This event provided an opportunity to honor our first responders who work hard every day to keep the County safe,” Neuhaus said. “The men and women who commit their lives to public service in this capacity don’t do it for awards or accolades which makes it even more of an honor to recognize their exemplary service. Our first responders and military personnel deserve to be commended and appreciated for making Orange County a safer place to live and work.”

The 2019 Meritorious Service Award recipients were:

Past Chief Elmer Budd, Goshen: Budd joined the Goshen Fire Department in 1959 and has served in numerous officer positions during his 60 years of membership. Budd is currently President of the Cataract Engine and Hose Company #1.

Sergeant Robert Card and Officer Patrick Kerr, Port Jervis Police Department: The duo responded to a domestic violence dispute on January 29th and were able to subdue a violent man brandishing a knife with a mother and two children inside the residence.

Wayne Chan, Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps: Chan has been a proud member of the Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps since he moved to Orange County in 1996. He has served in a variety of capacities and recently took his 3,000th call as a volunteer. Chan works closely with and mentors new Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps members.

Joseph Colombo, United States Military Academy: A retired Army Sergeant, Colombo was responsible for all of the Academy’s public safety, working with a variety of local, County, State and Federal agencies.

Deputy Andrew Eberhardt, Orange County Sheriff’s Office: Eberhardt was honored for providing life-saving medical treatment to John McCarey, the County’s Director of Real Property Services, on Wednesday, April 3rd in the lobby of the County Executive’s Office.

Officers Nicholas Eberwein and Thomas O’Connell, Town of Newburgh Police Department: The officers responded to a residence on July 29th after a report of a 68-year-old unconscious man bleeding from his leg. Working together, Eberwein and O’Connell applied a tourniquet to the wound to stop the bleeding. If not for the quick actions of the officers, he may have died.

Past Chief Michael Mattausch, Cornwall Fire Department: Mattausch joined the Mountainville Engine Co. #3 in 1969 and has served in almost every administrative position, including Trustee, President. He is an original founding member and is still an active member of the Cornwall Fire Department Rescue Team and is annually one of the top responders for his company.