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By Charlotte Hopkins

On September 12, four police officers were awarded for their quick thinking and brave actions that saved the lives of shooting victims Alyssa Madison and Amanda Smith.

Officer Jason Shallenberger (left), Alyssa Madison (center), and Officer Garrett Kimmel, reunited from the tragic shooting at Salon 136.

On August 6, the two ladies were standing among a group of friends outside Salon 136 in Forward Township when they fell victim of a drive-by shooting. Johnathan Minnie was among the group and he lunged into action and threw the women to the ground, taking the bullets that hours later took his life. Minnie was 27 years old and was the father of 8 children.

Officer Jason Shallenberger of Elizabeth Township was the first to arrive on the scene. He quickly attended to the wound on Madison's leg that was bleeding profusely. He used a bar patron's shirt to wrap the wound and kept it elevated until further help arrived. Next at the scene were Forward Township Police Officer Arthur Bruzzazi and Elizabeth Borough Police Officers Garrett Kimmel and Anna Jandric. As Jandric and Bruzzazi attended Smith's gaping wounds, Kimmel and Shallenberger continued to work to save Madison. The two applied a tourniquet that Kimmell carried in his personal medical bag. Medics later clarified that without the tourniquet, Madison would have bled out at the scene.

The four officers received Life Saving Awards and Heroism Awards by their departments. They also each accepted a Certificate of Recognition from Senator Brewster and State Representative Rick Saccone at a special ceremony. This was the first time that Madison and Smith have seen the officers since the night of the shooting.

At the start of the ceremony, an acknowledgment was given to Minnie, who lost his life that night. Madison stated, “The first hero that was on the scene was the victim, Johnathan Minnie. He pulled me and Savannah down to the ground. I almost lost my leg that night but with them three, I'm here today.” Kimmel also recognized Minnie's bravery, stating, “Minnie was shot and killed and in the process was able to pull both of the victims to the ground,

Elizabeth Borough Officer Anna Jandric accepted a Life Saving Award for her quick actions at the shooting.

and without his actions there is no telling what could of happened.”

Forward Township Officer Arthur Bruzzazi was awarded for saving Amanda Smith's life at the shooting outside Salon 136.

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