Trooper Christopher S. Scales was a front-line partner in the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey’s brain injury prevention efforts. Trooper Scales was struck and killed on December 3, 2002 while conducting a seatbelt enforcement detail on the New Jersey Turnpike.

The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey honored State Trooper Christopher Scales posthumously in May 2003 by introducing the Trooper Christopher Scales Memorial Award. This award is presented each year to a member of the law enforcement community who has demonstrated exemplary efforts in promoting public safety and brain injury prevention.

2008 Recipient

Lt. Colonel Juan Mattos Jr.
Lt. Colonel Mattos is a career law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of service to the citizens of New Jersey, and he has received several Division of State Police commendations and letters of appreciation. He was instrumental in creating the traffic safety symposium "Safe Passage," where many disciplines and organizations interface to help reduce traffic crashes and related injuries, and he is a strong statewide advocate of prevention education to reduce crashes and brain injury.
"On behalf of Trooper Scales and his family it is an honor to accept this award," said Lt. Colonel Mattos, adding that public safety is a team effort that would not be possible without the hard work of his fellow officers. "It comes down to making things personal," he said. "It’s about caring. It’s about having that passion for saving lives—that’s what makes a difference."

Past Recipients

2007 – Chief William J. Cicchetti, Washington Township Police
2006 – Lieutenant Paul Vereb, Long Beach Township Police
2005 – Detective Sergeant Peter Ziegler
2004 – Officer Mary Ann Collura
2003 – Trooper Christopher S. Scales

Make A Nomination

If you know a law enforcement officer dedicated to the prevention of brain injuries and deserving of the Trooper Scales Memorial Award, please take the time to nominate them. The deadline is April 1 every year.