GALLOWAY — Atlantic City Police Sgt. Christian Ivanov, whose recovery from a near-fatal shooting has drawn widespread support across South Jersey, has received a leadership award from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Ivanov was presented with the Sergeant Eric D. Wise Memorial Award for Leadership during the Prosecutor's Office's second annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 2.
The award recognizes a uniformed law enforcement officer who demonstrates exceptional leadership, teamwork and humility.
It is named in memory of Sgt. Eric D. Wise, a longtime member of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office whose legacy of service continues to be honored by the agency.
The recognition comes during a remarkable period for Ivanov.
As South Jersey NewsBeat reported, Ivanov was critically wounded June 2 while Atlantic City police officers were executing a search warrant on North Florida Avenue.
The shooting damaged Ivanov's femoral artery and vein and resulted in massive blood loss. Doctors at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center later said Ivanov arrived in critical condition after fellow officers rushed him to the hospital and worked to control his bleeding.
He underwent emergency surgery and was released from the hospital June 18.
Just months later, Ivanov was back in the public eye this weekend, joining his family on the field at Lincoln Financial Field for the coin toss before Sunday's Philadelphia Eagles game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Now, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office recognition adds another chapter to his return.
Colleagues selected award recipients
The Prosecutor's Office said it sought nominations from throughout the local law-enforcement community, with winners selected by consensus among nominees' colleagues, supervisors and agency leadership.
Ivanov was selected from a group of nominees that also included Kyle Ambrozaitis, Joseph Carchietti, Ni-jon Isom, Joseph Switzer, Da'Zhon Bethea, Gordon Ellis III and Jeffrey Vanegas.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds hosted Friday's luncheon, which recognized law-enforcement officers, public-safety professionals, Prosecutor's Office employees and community organizations.
Several other Atlantic County individuals and organizations were recognized.
Egg Harbor Township Police Detective Jacob Hunter received the Sergeant Eric D. Wise Memorial Narcotics Detective of the Year Award, recognizing teamwork, loyalty, humility, professionalism and integrity.
Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Detective Michael Santoro was named Detective of the Year for his investigative work, handling of complex investigations and interagency coordination.
Assistant Prosecutor Paige Jedlicka received the James W. Brown Assistant Prosecutor of the Year Award.
Galloway Township Police Department's Amanda Harris was named Public Safety Telecommunicator of the Year.
Victim Witness Advocate Melody Kirby, Clerk Amanda Gibbons and Agent Christine Armitage-Cooker received the Prosecutor's Office Exemplary Service Award.
The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, Coalition for a Safe Community and Wellbeing Equity and Innovations jointly received the Outstanding Community Partnership of the Year Award for their collaboration, outreach and community engagement.
Reynolds thanked those who helped organize the luncheon as well as the law-enforcement officers, first responders, community partners and families who support the Prosecutor's Office's work.
For Ivanov, the recognition isn't the last one scheduled this month.
The Atlantic City Police Foundation is scheduled to honor Ivanov and others involved in the June 2 shooting and his subsequent lifesaving medical care at its annual Hero Luncheon on Oct. 16 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. That event is expected to recognize Ivanov along with fellow Atlantic City police officers and members of AtlantiCare's trauma team.
