Kids & Family

Princeton EMT Michael Kenwood Honored With Jefferson Award

Kenwood died while attempting a water rescue during Hurricane Irene in August, 2011.

 

Michael Kenwood, the 39-year-old Princeton EMT who died in the line of duty during Hurricane Irene, was one of 20 outstanding New Jersey volunteers recognized with the prestigious Governor's Jefferson Award at a recent ceremony at the Newark Museum. 

"The volunteers we’re honoring tonight are nothing short of inspirational," New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno said in a statement. "From raising money so amputees can get prosthetics to a minister who lives with the homeless to help them become self-sustaining to a gentleman who overcame a handicap so he can drive homebound seniors to their appointments to an EMT who gave his life during Hurricane Irene, these volunteers, and many others, have set examples for us to follow."

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Michael Kenwood was a member of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad who responded to a partially submerged car in floodwater on Rosedale Road on Aug. 28, 2011. 

Kenwood and his partner that day, PFARS President Peter Simon, tried to rouse the car's occupants. When the car lights flashed, they tethered themselves to the rescue truck via rope and started towards the car. 

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As the water got deeper and the current stronger, the men were forced to turn around. That's when Kenwood lost his footing and both he and Simon got swept away. Simon was able to cut the rope and radio for help, but it was too late for Kenwood, who died at the University Medical Center of Princeton later that night. 

It was later determined that the car on Rosedale Road was empty and it may have been an electrical short that caused the lights to flash. Princeton Township Police interviewed the owner of the car but determined there was no criminal action by the driver.

Kenwood, who lived in East Windsor, left behind a wife and young daughter. 

Read: Remembering and Honoring Michael Kenwood

More than 1,400 nominations were submitted for this year’s Jefferson awards. 

The honorees represent a fraction of the approximately 1.5 million New Jersey volunteers who provide more than 170 million hours of service each year, according to the Governor's Office. 

The other volunteers honored are:

  • Beatrice Emma Bernzott, Linden, PSEG Environmental Stewardship
  • Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, Corporate Leadership
  • Minister Steven A. Brigham, Lakewood, Faith Based Services
  • Alrick A. Brown, Plainfield, Verizon Education
  • Evelyn Dudziec, Newton, Lifetime Service
  • Minister Thomas Ellis, Newark, Community Pillar
  • Janet Farrand, Long Valley, Service to Youth
  • Richard Goldberg, Parsippany, Executive Leadership
  • Stacey Halvorsen PT, Bordentown, BD Health Care Professional
  • April Kauffman, Linwood, Volunteer Leadership
  • Mallory King, Jersey City, Founders/Innovators
  • Dale Mertz, Dover, Against All Odds
  • Sam Morris, Mine Hill, Good Neighbor
  • New Eyes for the Needy, Short Hills, Volunteer Group
  • Pass It Along, Sparta, Youth Volunteer Group
  • Harry Pozycki, Metuchen, Founders/Innovators
  • Adele Taylor, Williamstown, Youth in Service
  • Evan Thomas, Brookside, Emergency Services
  • Susan Tonry, Robbinsville, BD Health Care Individual  

Information on the awards can be found at www.njgovernorsawards.com. 


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