Way to go Sam.....another volunteer who serves his community in many ways . Proud to know you !!!

Maybe we cannot lay off policemen, but we need to lay off the pay increases. I am a federal worker and my pay will be frozen for the next 3 years. Why do municipal workers get pay raises in an economy with 8.2 percent unemployment? We have the highest property taxes in the nation. People do not want to live in NJ because of the taxes.

JD, these cops took a 1.5 % pay decrease in 2011 due to increased pensions contributions. They took a 0% pay raise in 2010 voluntarily. These same cops volunteered to pay 1.5% of their pay for medical insurance before they were required to do so. These same cops are now facing layoffs, demotions, and no pay increases for the forseeable future. In addition, these same officers are going to be paying up to 35% of the cost of their medical insurance in the next three years. All in all, the average police officer in Lawrenceville and every other town in New Jersey is looking at a pay decrease of 10K or more from 2010 courtesy of Gov. Christie and the legislature. By state law, they have been limited to a maximum raise of 2% in arbitration and most arbitrators are giving MUCH lower raises then that. These same officers who had collectively bargained years ago for 15 year os medical benefits paid for by the town upon retirement and NOT LIFETIME medical like many other municipalities did lost their medical in retirement and will now have to pay for a portion of the premium if they did not have 20 years in the PFRS pension as of June 2011 courtesy of Gov. Christie and the legislature.

I would say it is fair to say that the cops and firefighters of New Jersey are giving up plenty for us the taxpayers and for themselves, considering that the are required to live in NJ also.

In the meantime, the cost of living has increased and continues to do so.

JD is that enough for you?

"Routine" traffic stops, and the atrocious ambush attacks directed at Police Officers are routinely discussed on the facebook page, Lawrence FOP. Police are War combattants, facing gunfire, knife, physical assaults, similar to the military, Police are always the "point man", the first in line, alone, without a Squad of soldiers for immediate backup. The arrestee was probably read his Miranda "Rights", after he resisted arrest, courtesy of the Supreme Court. The officer could have been killed, as happens too frequently. 143 Officers died on duty last year, in America. You can apply for Associate Membership in Lawrence FOP Chapter 209, the William C. Eggert Chapter. Three levels of membership, which include, Wallet Fob, window sticker, membership card, Shield for your rear window. Stop into the Police Station and an application will be mailed to you. In the meantime, checkout Lawrence FOP on facebook. Click become a friend.

Thank you Sam Pangaldi. It is much easier to be a bystander and take pictures with your iPhone. I didn't have to be there, and wasn't, to appreciate what Sam Pangaldi did.

Great Job Sam you are a perfect example to all Lawrence citizens

From reading the Patch, I've learned there's more crime in Lawrence than I ever realized. That's more than enough reason not to reduce emergency services. In this case, Mr. Pangaldi indeed deserves recognition. This incident could have turned into a tragedy for the police officer. Consider that driver in front of you may be the next crime suspect. After all, he/she is already breaking the traffic laws, right? Watch your speed.

Another clear example that Lawrence Twp. is NOT Mayberry (very safe with little crime for those who don't get the implication) for those that have implied it is. Based on the national average ratio of police officer to population, Lawrence should have around 80 officers. They are at around 65 currently. Proper staffing in public safety is not something to toy with..

It needs to be reiterated that Lawrence Twp. paid tens of thousands last year to hire a consultant to analyze the police department and the consultant concluded that the town is basically operating as a skeleton of a department and that ANY reduction from current staffing levels would be detrimental to effective police services to the town; however, it did conclude that the Deputy Chief position was unnecessary in a department such a Lawrence. Any possible layoffs, however, would come from the bottom...the rank and file who actually provide the bulk of the service to the town...this would make zero sense and basically would tell the citizens that Lawrence Twp. threw away tens of thousands of dollars on that consultant. What sense does it make to pay a consultant to do a job that I guess the manager felt neither he nor the police chief could do, and then completely disregard those recommendations. It also seems odd that I don't recall seeing much media attention on the results of both the consultant's findings and the morale survey the consultant requested from the officers, which I hear was not too favorable.

Thanks Sam.

Hopefully this is also a wake up call to the cops in the department who are out of shape and can't handle themselves. It's your job to be prepared. What would happen without the civilians. That's what the officer should be thinking.

The cops in every town in the state, could have as many cops as they needed IF they were not so greedy and selfish......They are overpaid and simple economics has finally proved that......and none of this would be an issue, If they really cared about the publics safety (and theirs)

I think the president is overpaid to. If he cared about our country he would work for free. And all public servants for that matter. Why should we value the lives of heros anyway. They should all work for free. And wear capes too. Yeah. And have super powers. Yeah. From this day on all cops work for free because they care about public safety and not their lives and their families. Why should their families Eat. Come on they are heros. They shouldnt need food they can just refuel their bodies with mystical rocks and Krispy Cream donuts.

I am proud that a resident took the iniaitive without consideration of his own safety to help in a situation that could have ended tragically . All the by sttanders better hope Sam is around if they should need assistance. Forget the politics, this was an eye opening event, regardless .

A trained officer who takes pride in himself and his job should be able to handle himself. This was a man vs an officer who has tools that can be used to subdue a larger enemy if needed. The officer should always win because they should be mentally and physically prepared. If the fight was unfair it was weighed heavier to the side of the officer given his tools and weapons. If he failed to do so it is time for him to train or rethink his job. Without the help of civilians this officer could have put a gun on the street. His own and in the hands of someone who obviously doesn't have a care in the world.

This is another prime example why NJ should allow the use of Tasers. This guy could have been warned and when he didn't heed the warning gotten tazed. Game over NO confrontation No hassles and no need for public assistance. I'm just glad somebody was willing to get involved and help this officer out.

Love the cops!

I also love talking on my cell phone (hands free) while driving (hands on the wheel).

Tasers are legal in jersey. Lawrence just doesn't have any. Guess its not in the budget.

I personally know the officer and Sam. I watched those boys grow into men. The officer himself is more then adequate in mental and physical preparedness. He put himself in situation that he didn't think twice about because he was doing his job . He wasn't thinking about his pay or own safety. Because that's his JOB.. So maybe before the public starts pulling out their cell phones or crunching tax dollars in their head, they should think about the obviously dangerous man he just took off the streets for THEIR own safety. Great job RJ and Sam !!!!

thanks sam, we need your type for lawrence township, TC

thanks sam, that guy could have had a gun or weapon in the car and your quick help could have very well have saved this officer. good job and your clear thinking I hope is appricated on the zoning board, Karin

Anyone who believes that the police, fire or other rescue departments are overpaid and do not care about public safety should have to wear a special badge so that the police know not to help them when their life is in danger. As far as i am concerned - they put their lives on the line everyday when they suit up for work. They deserve better pay and benfits and definitely better respect from all of the bystanders who stand by with their video phones.

I will always support and respect police, fire and rescue in Lawrence and anywhere in the USA.

Thank you men and women of these safety departments - I am forever on your side.

I would gladly wear that badge as long as you take their costs of salary , health benefits and bloated pensions off of me at the threat of losing my house

@Chief - you're an idiot. It's not the servicemen and women fault that you cannot afford your house. It's yours. Maybe you shouldn't have bought a house you cannot afford to live in comfortably. The cost of living continues to increase and it should have been thought about before you made a purchase. It's also not their fault that you most likely have a low paying job, that does not allow you to continue up the chain of command, therefore, leaving you with the same salary you had 10 years ago. These men and women risk their lives, safety, mental and physical health every single day. They go to work knowing they could never return. You live in the comforts of your home knowing your only risk is going to work in the morning and getting in an accident.
What noble profession do you do? What do you do for the greater good of our community? Probably nothing. Yes, half our services are paid, but what about the volunteers? I guess you don't want their help either. You're an uneducated resident who would stand by and watch things fall apart, rather than than take the initiative to do something better. I hope you get exactly what you want. You want to wear that badge? What if your house burns and no one shows up? What if you need EMT or police services? Then you cannot blame anyone but yourself. Karma will come your way my friend.

This incident is a perfect example of why officers in NJ should carry Tazers. From what I understand, Pepper Spray did not work at all, and if not for the help of bystanders, Officer Laird would have no choice but to use deadly force and shoot this individual.

In nj the rule is you only use a taser in a lethal capacity. It's tasers are legal for law enforcement in nj but can only be used as lethal force. So basically it's just another piece of junk to weigh down their belt.

As NJ law currently stands, tasers are only allowed in deadly force situations. With them being over regulated, it would be a nuisance for the officers to carry and and an unnecessary expense at a time when tight budgets do not allow for duplication. If police have firearms then they do not need tasers. Carrying too much equipment is more hazardous than helpful. Until NJ deems the use of tasers to be on the same level as pepper spray, it would remain a waste of money and place officers in danger physically and legally.

Frankly I would have loved to have been there to help the officer out. Any chance I can get to freely beat some sense into total morons who have no respect for any law enforcement...

There's a lot to be said about this situation but one thing right now strikes me clearly: If Tasers are legal, Lawrence Township Police should have them. It would have been horrible if Officer Laird had to resort to deadly force when he could have, in the absence of interested citizens like Pangaldi, had the option of a Taser to quell the situation and protect the public. The reality is our Police Officers put their lives on the line every day to protect us. We, as residents, should be supporting and in fact promoting every safety possible to assist them in protecting us.

Glad to see the cell phone laws being vigorously enforced. Can we get this gentlemens cell phone privilege suspended for two years and have a couple grand surcharge levied for restoration?

StupidMe: Please inform me as to what I'm missing? Does the NJ law allow for the use of tasers on persons resisting arrest or being noncomplaint to orders. I can't find that anywhere. So please send me a link to prove your point.

Attorney General Dow said: "The new policy continues to restrict use of stun guns, for the most part, to situations where an officer seeks to prevent a suspect from causing death or serious bodily injury to an officer, to another person, or to himself or herself. Law enforcement officers may not use them against a person who is only offering passive resistance to commands."

No Stupid Me, I am not Jake. I do agree that he is correct with the restrictions for use of the taser. You stupid are incorrect. I stand by what I said that until restrictions are lifted it would be more of an inconvenience or hazard than a help to carry a taser. Why should we waste money when we already have sidearms. As the law currently stands, it would be dangerous to equip our officers with tasers.

If jake and John are different people, I am humpty dumpty

Stupidme: You neglected to provide evidence of your claim that John and I are misinformed on NJ taser policy.

If the police department is so understaffed, I question why someone in broad daylight would be followed into a gas station for using a cell phone. This so-called "violent offender" was only guilty initially of using a cell phone. Just to let everyone know, this "violent offender" had NO criminal record and absolutely NO history of any problems EVER with the police. The car was impounded and thoroughly checked for weapons and guess what??, no weapons, no drugs, NOTHING!! It is interesting how a 6ft 5inch, 275lb. black man is immediately identified by all as a violent offender and a shame that the WHITE cop felt the same way. I say look at the camera and the audio in the police car and maybe something slightly different occurred. The white volunteer fireman and board member of the community may not be the most reliable witness.

Mr McQuarty, Why are you putting color into this. How do you even know the police and the bystander were white. You are just assumming this, unless you know them yourself. as it's been said before When you assume you make a a$$$$$$ out of yourself.