Representative Malinowski Honors Westfield Police Officers Who Helped Prevent Shooting at Tamaques Elementary School

(Washington, DC) Today, Representative Malinowski spoke on the House Floor to recognize Westfield Police Officers Jeffrey Johnson and Michael Pollack, whose heroism helped prevent a shooting at Tamaques Elementary School in June of 2019. Watch a video of his remarks here.

“Madam Speaker, as we mourn the victims of another senseless mass shooting in America, I rise to recognize two police officers in my district: Jeffrey Johnson and Michael Pollack of the Westfield Police Department, who prevented a potential mass shooting in my district in 2019.

On June 13 of that year, Officers Johnson and Pollack responded to a call at Tamaques Elementary School in Westfield, New Jersey, where they were met with a man armed with a 45 caliber gun, hollow point bullets, and 130 rounds of ammunition – arsenal much of which is not legal in New Jersey, but which he’d obtained legally in another state. 

The officers disarmed and arrested the man, potentially saving the lives of the teachers, staff, and kids. The officers recently received the “Hero Award” from our Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and I continue to honor their heroism here on the House floor today. 

This incident is another reminder that while we have strong gun laws in New Jersey, and one of the lowest rates of gun violence fatalities in the country as a result, many of our neighboring states do not. 

And as long as our gun laws are inconsistent across state lines, those who wish to commit mass murder will find the means to do so.

Thank you, I yield back.”