In Memoriam

 

Gordon A. Milburn, age 78, of Hillside, NJ passed early Wednesday morning, January 20, 2010 in Knoxville, TN. Gordon retired from the Hillside Police Department as a Narcotics Detective after 25 years of service. He served as a CSI Officer at the Boynton Beach  FL Police Department for several years during the 1990s. Gordon was a veteran of the U S Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jean Milburn; daughters, Kathy Milburn of Atlanta, GA, Donna Derrick and husband, Dan of the Tellico Village Community; sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Babe Warren of Florida.

The Hillside Police Department wishes to extend our condolences to the Milburn family. Further we extend our sincere appreciation for his service to the Hillside Police Department and the residents of the Township of Hillside.

Volunteers Needed

The Hillside Police Department, in conjunction with the YWCA of Eastern Union county would like to announce the opportunity to volunteer as a member of a team of specially trained volunteer advocates who are available to meet confidentially with victims of domestic violence at police headquarters on an on-call basis. The volunteer advocates, who are members of the community, provide support, information, and referrals to victims of domestic violence at police headquarters. The volunteer advocates are trained to empower victims to make decisions about their own lives. 

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have access to transportation, possess a valid driver’s license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, and submit to a background check and fingerprinting. The 40-hour mandatory training course will be provided free of charge to successful applicants. YWCA-EUC will be conducting the training beginning in September. Classes are being held twice per week in the evenings in Cranford. Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required. The Hillside Police Department and YWCA-EUC are committed to culturally diverse teams to better serve the community. Bi-lingual capability is a plus.  

To request an application please contact Divya Dodhia at 908-355-1500 ext. 18 or ddodhia@ywcaeuc.org 

For over 30 years the YWCA-EUC, a non-profit organization, has been dedicated to providing shelter, counseling, protection, support, prevention, education, and advocacy for residents of Union County who are affected by domestic violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence you can call the YWCA-EUC confidential domestic violence hotline at 908-355-4357, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are in immediate danger please call 9-1-1.

HPD SALUTES:

 HPD Salutes is a news column to recognize outstanding police work by Hillside police officers.

November 13, 2009 Hillside Police Officers Matthew Casterline and Bryan Arrington observed David B. Frischman, 27, of Livingston driving a blue 1997 Acura, disregard a stop sign at the intersection of Schley Street and Winans Avenue in Hillside.  They followed him a short distance into Newark and conducted a motor vehicle stop near the intersection of Fabyan Place and Keer Avenue.  When they approached the vehicle to speak to the driver, both officers immediately observed a plastic baggie with suspected drugs inside.  When they ordered the Frischman out of the car, he attempted to shift the vehicle into drive.  Officer Casterline attempted to prevent him from shifting into drive and a struggle ensued between Frischman and Officer Casterline.  Frischman was then able to get the vehicle into drive with Officer Casterline partially inside, dragging him for approximately 10 - 15 feet.  The officer then fell to ground and sustained minor injuries.   

Both officers returned to their vehicle and pursued Frischman onto Route 78 West.  After notifying the New Jersey State Police, Hillside Police terminated the pursuit near Exit 40 in Berkeley Heights.  Approximately one hour later, Frischman was involved in a motor vehicle crash on Route 78 in Warren Township.  When the New Jersey State Police arrived at the scene of the crash, Frischman assaulted the state trooper and attempted to stab him with a hypodermic needle.  Frischman was then placed under arrest and transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries caused by the crash. 

Frischman is charged by Hillside police with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (car), Eluding Police, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Frischman has also been charged by the NJ State Police, Somerset Barracks.

July 30, 2008 Our patrol officers received information from a resident that their car was stolen. While one of our units was still completing the stolen vehicle report another patrol unit observed the stolen vehicle at the intersection of Valley View Road and Conant Street. Officers Ronald Bartell and Allan Lu then attempted to stop the stolen vehicle. The driver, later identified as Samuel DeJesus, 35, of Newark, ignored the officers’ signal to stop and began attempting to elude them through streets in Hillside and into the City of Elizabeth. The pursuit of the vehicle was eventually terminated due to the highly dangerous driving of DeJesus. Moments later the officers reengaged the pursuit with the help of Elizabeth Police officers on Routes 1 & 9 North. As DeJesus attempted to exit the highway he lost control of his vehicle at the McClellan Street exit ramp and struck a guard rail. Officers Bartell and Lu then positioned their police vehicle to block DeJesus from continuing his attempt to escape. However, DeJesus then attempted to push the officers’ vehicle out of his way by accelerating forward and ramming the police car. When he was unsuccessful, he reversed a few feet and drove forward again ramming the police vehicle a second time. DeJesus was repeatedly ordered to put his hands up and take his foot off the accelerator by officers. Upon the arrival of backup officers DeJesus was removed from the vehicle and arrested. Further investigation revealed that DeJesus had stolen two other vehicles from Hillside residents.

DeJesus is held on $25,000 bail. He’s charged with Eluding, Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Possession of Burglary Tools, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. More charges will follow upon completion of the investigation of the other two vehicles stolen by DeJesus.

 Click here or the button to the left to read more Hillside Salutes.

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