Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following two promotions within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office

Press Release                                                                         Contact:  Sheriff Michael F. Strada

July 1, 2026                                                                            973-579-0850

Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following two promotions within the

Sussex County Sheriff’s Office

Sergeant Johnny Swords has been promoted to Lieutenant. A United States Marine Corps veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lieutenant Swords began his law enforcement career in 2007 when he was hired as a Sheriff's Officer in the Sussex County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Law Enforcement.

Throughout his career, Lieutenant Swords has served in both the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit and the Sheriff's Special Services Unit.

A Certified Fatal Accident Reconstructionist, as well as a Project Lifesaver Technician and Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) Instructor, Lieutenant Swords has been assigned as a Supervisor in Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit since 2022.

Lieutenant Swords is a recipient of the Sheriff's Honorable Service Award, The Educational Achievement Award. The Armed Forces Ribbon, The Good Conduct Award, The Grand Cordon Award, the Sheriff's Achievement Award, and the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award.

Lieutenant Swords also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Thomas A. Edison University.

Following this promotion, Lieutenant Swords will be assigned to oversee the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit.

Detective Michael Scott has been promoted to Sergeant.  A 2004 Graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School, Sergeant Scott began his law enforcement career in 2016 when he was hired as a Sheriff’s Officer in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Bureau of Law Enforcement.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Scott has served in the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit, The Sussex County Narcotics Task Force, the Sheriff’s Special Services Unit, and the K-9 Unit.

A certified Field Training Officer, Sergeant Scott is a recipient of the Sheriff’s Exceptional Duty Award, the Good Conduct Award, the Grand Cordon, and the Sheriff’s K-9 Bar.

Following this promotion Sergeant Scott will be assigned as a Supervisor in the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit.

Sheriff Michael F. Strada stated "I want to extend my personal congratulations to both Lieutenant Johnny Swords and Sergeant Michael Scott on their well-deserved promotions. Both of these men have consistently demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism, leadership, and dedication to this office throughout their careers.”

Pictured left to right:  Sergeant Michael Scott, Sheriff Michael Strada, Lieutenant Johnny Swords