The 200 Club of Morris County Supports Courage and Celebrates Heroism in Honor of 15 Local First Responders at 52nd Annual Valor & Meritorious Awards Celebration

The 200 Club of Morris County invites the public to celebrate the extraordinary courage and service of Morris County first responders at its 52nd Annual Valor & Meritorious Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Birchwood Manor in Whippany. Dedicated to supporting and raising awareness of the heroic actions of first responders, the 200 Club of Morris County will celebrate 15 local heroes from six Morris County departments for acts of exceptional bravery and service. ​

Award recipients represent the following agencies and honorees:

Police Departments: 
Dover Police Department: Officer Christopher Caraig (Meritorious Award), Officer Jose Matos (Valor Award);
Rockaway Township Police Department: Officer Giordan Matos (Valor Award);
Chatham Township Police Department: Sergeant Michael Bloom, Patrolman Philip G. Masi, Patrolman Brian McGrath (Valor Awards)

Fire Departments: 
Denville Volunteer Fire Department: Firefighter/EMT Abigail Dekker (Meritorious Award);
Mount Arlington Fire Department: Firefighter Christopher Merring, Firefighter Arthur Scofield, Firefighter Adrian J. Vargas, 2nd Lieutenant Sean N. Whitteaker (Meritorious Awards);
Netcong Fire Department: Chief Raymond Bock, Captain Jeffrey Jozowski, Engineer Michael Kunkel, Firefighter Miguel S. Pardo (Meritorious Awards)

Recognizing Courage Beyond the Call of Duty
The Valor Award honors first responders who faced life-threatening danger while protecting the public with extraordinary acts of courage far beyond expected duty. The Meritorious Award recognizes first responders whose actions far exceed professional performance, but imminent danger of death was not present.

Each April, the 200 Club brings together honorees, families and friends, business and civic leaders, and members of police, fire, EMS, and the New Jersey State Police to pay tribute to those who protect our communities every day.

The link of past honorees is as follows:https://www.200clubofmorriscounty.com/valor-meritorious-awards

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
The 2026 event offers a range of sponsorship opportunities designed for businesses and organizations of all sizes, with levels from $250 to $2,500, which help to advance the club’s mission of supporting Morris County’s families of firefighters, police officers, New Jersey State Police, EMTs, and Office of Emergency Management line-of-duty deaths for fallen responders, child support and scholarship benefits to qualified candidates. Sponsorship benefits extend through December 31, 2026.

Tickets Available by Advance Reservation Only
Tickets for the April 23, 2026 event must be reserved in advance.

The 200 Club of Morris County A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
​The 200 Club of Morris County has recognized over 700 first responders since 1972, and provided over 725 scholarships for qualified Morris County high school seniors. For more information, sponsorship details, or reservations: 
Lori Richmond, Club Administrator 
973-630-7933 or [email protected]