MANCHESTER – Dawson Palmarini, 23, was recently sworn in as the newest honorary police officer, firefighter, and emergency medical technician.
During a recent Township Council meeting Dawson and his father Vincent were welcomed by the governing body and Police Chief Antonio Ellis, Director of Emergency Services Robert Baran, and the public witnessed Dawson’s oath of office that was administered by Municipal Clerk Teri Giercyk.
Dawson’s inspiring story of perseverance began on July 20, 2019 when he was 17. He was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Toms River and was ejected approximately 30 feet.
He was found to be unresponsive and was resuscitated by a team of police, fire, and EMS and flown via a medical helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
Having suffered three traumatic brain injuries, Dawson was placed into a coma. He spent three months in the ICU/Trauma Unit at Jersey Shore Medical Center and was transferred to Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick for rehabilitation.
Upon his release, Dawson had to relearn basic skills such as walking, speaking, and feeding himself. With a long road ahead of him, Dawson spent several years in intensive outpatient physical therapy.
Vincent Palmarini and his wife became Dawson’s foster parents when Dawson was just three days old. Dawson had complications at birth due to his maternal mother who suffered substance abuse. Vincent and his wife provided Dawson the best life they could. Palmarini is a single parent as his wife sadly died of cancer nine years ago according to a report by the Washington Township Police Department.
Chief Ellis expressed that all of Manchester Township was honored to help Dawson reach his goals. Chief Ellis and Director Baran presented Dawson with patches, challenge coins, and custom shirts in commemoration of his accomplishment.
Members of the governing body also congratulated Dawson on his new role of being an honorary police officer, firefighter, and emergency medical technician in the township.
Dawson received a similar honor from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in October of 2024, and was made honorary police chief by the Secaucus Police Department on October 16, 2024. On December 10, 2024 he became an honorary police officer in Washington Township when Police Chief John Calamari joined other members of that police department in presenting him with a department coffee mug, challenge coins, hats, patches and several other items plus an honorary officer award.
His goal is to express overwhelming thanks to the dedicated men and women who contribute to the essential work in these critical fields and wants to set a world record.
He is on a mission of spreading goodwill and gratitude, visiting every police, fire, and EMS agency in the State of New Jersey, so he can thank first responders for what they do. Currently, he is an honorary member of 23 different agencies in the Garden State, as well as the Philadelphia Police Department.
His father said he is there to support his son achieve his goals and despite Dawson’s formidable challenges he knows he will reach them. Dawson has already received over 200 challenge coins, 300 patches and several honorary officer awards.
