Morris County Sheriff supports teen’s journey to set world record for visiting law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – Sheriff James M. Gannon and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office are helping a young man achieve his remarkable goal of setting a world record by visiting as many law enforcement, fire, and EMS departments as possible.
The initiative was brought to the Sheriff’s attention by Mr. Vincent Palmerini, whose son, Dawson Palmerini, sustained life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle crash in July 2019. At the time, Dawson, then 17, was traveling on Route 37 in Toms River, NJ, when the accident occurred. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, spent four months in a coma, and faced significant emotional challenges, including PTSD and depression.
Despite the adversity, Dawson, now determined and resilient, has set out on a journey to visit every police department, firehouse, and EMS agency across New Jersey. His goal is to express his gratitude to the dedicated first responders who were instrumental in his recovery. Dawson’s father explained that his son has already collected over 200 challenge coins, 300 patches, and several honorary officer awards during his travels.
Dawson’s journey is particularly personal—he was fostered by Vincent Palmerini when he was just three days old after his birth mother struggled with substance abuse. Tragically, Dawson’s mother passed away from cancer when he was just eight years old, and Vincent has raised him as a single father ever since.
With each agency Dawson visits, he checks off another milestone on his list. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office is proud to support Dawson’s efforts in honoring the first responders who helped save his life and continue to inspire him every day.
