Newark Police Department

(pictured from left to right) 200 Club Secretary Louis R. Dell’Ermo, 2006 Valor Award Recipients Police Officer Jose Dopazo, Police Officer Kevin Matthew, Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura and Chief Anthony Campos.

Police Officer Jose Dopazo and Police Officer Kevin Matthew
Newark Police Department

On the evening of November 22, 2006, the Newark Police Department’s 5th Precinct Narcotics Enforcement Team was dispatched to the Seth Boyden housing complex to address complaints of chronic drug sale and distribution problems.

Prior to arrival on the scene, Officer Kevin Matthew, working in plainclothes, is designated as the lead undercover operative and is charged with making a heroin “buy”. Matthew responds to the location with Officer Jose Dopazo, also operating undercover, working as Matthew’s shadow and primary back-up.

Matthew approaches the housing complex from north. Dopazo arrives on the scene from the south and officers enter courtyard simultaneously. Other officers are also pre-positioned and monitor the movement of Matthew and Dopazo from unmarked units while still other officers surround the target building, 127 Seth Boyden Terrace.

Upon arrival, Officer Matthew observes Antwan Scott exit the target location as Dopazo monitors Matthew’s movements and the soon-to-be unfolding events. At this point, Scott reaches into his jacket pocket, removes a silver handgun and points it at Matthew. Matthew immediately draws his service weapon and announces “Police” by voice and show of badge. Scott fires twice at Matthew, missing both times.

Exercising extreme restraint for fear of injuring innocent bystanders and residents, yet also fearing for his life, Matthew, along with Dopazo and other undercover officers return fire while exercising the utmost caution. Scott, however, continues to recklessly fire his weapon wildly at the officers on the scene. Matthew, taking cover behind a tree, observes Scott run into 125 Seth Boyden Terrace.

A call for further assistance is dispatched to police headquarters and additional officers arrive on the scene to secure the perimeter. Regrouping, the undercover officers enter the building and knock on the door of apartment 1A. A female occupant answers the door and the officers observe Sidney Dailey in the apartment, sitting on the couch while holding several young children. Dailey advises the officers “you got the wrong apartment, nobody ran in here”. A second female resident of the apartment, Eloise Thomas, shouts, “Nobody ran in here, get out of my apartment. It’s just me, my daughter and her boyfriend”.

The officers conduct a search of the premises and discover Antwan Scott hiding in the bathroom. Upon being positively identified by Officer Matthew, Scott initiates a violent physical struggle with the officers who are forced to subdue him prior to his arrest. Simultaneously, Thomas attempts to side-step the officers and leave the scene, initiating another fierce physical brawl. The officers and Thomas fall to the floor as Thomas tries to reach beneath her waistband to gain access to a handgun. Thomas is also finally subdued and arrested. A silver Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun is removed from her person.

A further search of the bathroom uncovers a bundle of heroin, packaged for distribution and stamped “The Game” in red ink, which is also confiscated. Scott, Thomas and Dailey are charged with an assortment of drug, weapons and hindering apprehension charges.

Throughout this incident, Officers Kevin Matthew and Jose Dopazo demonstrated extreme bravery in a dangerous narcotics peddling environment. These officers, acting in perfect team harmony, demonstrated resolve, resiliency and professionalism while totally disregarding their own personal safety.

The 200 Club of Essex County proudly presented Valor Awards to Officers Kevin Matthew and Jose Dopazo.

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