On Sept. 30, members of the Hamilton Police Division were recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey for meritorious service and acts that contributed to the pursuit of justice.
During the ceremony in Newark, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger issued awards to Lt. Stephen Ligato, Sgt. Robert Colletti, Sgt. Edward Lugo, Sgt. Bryan Gadsby, Det. Christopher Pullen, Det. Patrick Guido, Det. James Rickey, Officer Christopher DiMeo, Officer Sean Mattis, Officer Ryan Burger, Officer Jeffrey Galant, Officer Richard Piotrowski, retired Lt. Ralph Fiasco, retired Det. James Scott, retired Det. Lawrence MacArthur, and retired Det. David Marshall, in addition to Special Agents Matthew Maltese and James Otten of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The awards were in recognition of actions taken in the case U.S. v. Cedrick Hodges. The case stemmed from an incident that occurred on Dec. 16, 2017. On that date, Hamilton Police responded, just before 9:30 p.m., to the 2300 block of South Broad Street after a 53-year-old woman reported that she had just parked her car when the defendant, Cedrick Hodges, entered the rear passenger seat and pointed a loaded sawed-off shotgun at her and demanded that she operate the vehicle. The driver then exited the vehicle and ran. At that point, it was alleged, Hodges discharged the shotgun towards her as she fled.
Moments later, as per police reports, Hodges approached a Honda Accord occupied by a driver and one passenger. Hodges pointed the shotgun at the driver’s window, demanding that the driver and passenger exit the vehicle. When the driver refused, and instead began to drive the vehicle away from Hodges, Hodges discharged the shotgun into the driver’s side window, striking the driver in his torso, causing permanent and serious bodily injury. Hodges then fled the area.
Several minutes later, while on Lafayette Avenue, police reported that Hodges approached a man who was entering a Nissan Rogue. Hodges demanded that the man hand Hodges the keys to the Nissan Rogue. When the man refused, Hodges brandished the shotgun and discharged the firearm at the man, striking him in the upper arm. Sgt. Ligato arrived at the same time and witnessed the shooting occur.
Upon seeing Ligato, Hodges fled on foot, according to police reports. Ligato broadcast Hodges’ description and location of Hodges, then rendered life-saving aid to the victim by applying a tourniquet to the victim’s arm. As Hodges was fleeing, Colletti observed him running across South Broad Street. After a foot pursuit and with the assistance of other officers on scene, Hodges was placed under arrest without further incident. Officers later found the shotgun in an alley between Lafayette Avenue and South Broad Street.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Suggs and Tracey Agnew prosecuted the case. With the collaborative efforts between the United States Attorney’s Office and the Hamilton Police Division, a federal jury in Trenton convicted Hodges of carjacking, brandishing a firearm during the carjacking, two attempted carjackings resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hodges is currently in jail awaiting federal sentencing, which is scheduled for later this year.
Chief Kenneth R. DeBoskey attended the ceremony and made the following statement:
“The officers of the Hamilton Police Division who responded to this incident conducted themselves in a heroic fashion and demonstrated the teamwork necessary to bring this incident to a successful conclusion. I am proud of all of the officers involved and commend them as well for their efforts that evening.”
