Toms River Schools Security Officer Prevents Roadside Assault Incident

A Toms River Regional Schools security officer received recognition for intervening to halt an assault that she witnessed while employed by the district.- trschools.com

Samantha Durante, who has worked for the school district for more than 10 years, was honored at the April 29 Board of Education meeting for her actions on Feb. 2.

According to Ralph Solomone, the district's coordinator of school security, she noticed the victim being beaten by two persons on the side of the road while driving between schools in the district and promptly stopped to assist.

As she used her portable radio to call for police and emergency medical assistance, Durante, who does not carry a gun, approached the two assailants, who fled, he added.

Samantha provided crucial information to help authorities identify the suspects while staying with the victim until police and EMS arrived, according to Solomone. "Her actions prevented the person being assaulted from sustaining more serious injuries."

She confronted these two assailants not being armed and she had no regard for her own safety. Superintendent Michael Citta stated, "When I think about Samantha's actions, a lot of virtues come to mind: courage, a sense of justice, of duty, integrity, but I keep coming to one: kindness." "Samantha acted out of compassion and goodwill after witnessing someone in distress. The ultimate virtue is to accomplish that at the expense of your own health. We are incredibly proud of her.