By Stephen Appezzato
FAIR HAVEN – Special Law Enforcement Officer III William “Butch” Stevenson was honored during the Jan. 22 council meeting for an act of heroism – saving a Sickles School employee’s life in October.
Stevenson serves as a special officer in the borough elementary school. While on duty, a school employee began choking. Stevenson rushed to the employee and performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving the man without requiring additional treatment.
“As a direct result of Officer Stevenson’s immediate lifesaving actions that day, a traumatic event was able to be prevented,” said Mayor Josh Halpern.
Upon receiving his award, Stevenson was met with a standing ovation from the crowded council room. Stevenson thanked the crowd and thanked Fair Haven Police Chief Joe McGovern for hiring him for the job.
“This is one of the best jobs I’ve had,” Stevenson proudly said.
“A few months ago, and the year before this when we discussed the possibility of bringing the special law enforcement officers into the schools, we said we hoped that they were wasted money,” Halpern said, meaning the officers would never be needed.
“Now that they’re there, we couldn’t be happier that we had to use them for such an important moment in saving one’s life,” he said.
Stevenson has a long and respected career in law enforcement and has served in numerous borough departments, the Monmouth County Sheriff ’s Office and even the state police. He began his latest role as an armed special law enforcement officer in Sickles Elementary School in September.
The article originally appeared in the January 25 – January 31, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
