Seniors are invited to attend this free event in Branchville on September 21, 2012. < Back TRIAD law enforcement seminar to be held in September Seniors are invited to attend this free event in Branchville on September 21, 2012. Previous Next On Friday, September 21, 2012, Sussex County TRIAD will be hosting a law enforcement seminar for seniors at Selective Insurance, 40 Wantage Avenue in the Borough of Branchville from 8 a.m. to 12 noon with a free continental breakfast included. The seminar will include classes on home security and computer safety and a demonstration by the Sussex County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. Seniors will have the opportunity to meet with law enforcement officers and county personnel to gather information on current crimes affecting seniors, facts to combat unwarranted fear of crime, problems faced by seniors and programs that are offered by the Sussex County Division of Senior Services. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Terry Kelemen, TRIAD coordinator at 973.579.0888, ext. 2508.

The unit is made up of corrections officers. < Back New honor guard formed The unit is made up of corrections officers. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is proud to announce the formation of the first Sussex County Sheriff’s Corrections Honor Guard Unit . The honor guard unit is a ceremonial unit composed of volunteers who are “guardians of the colors” by displaying and escorting the national flag at ceremonial occasions, parades, funerals and other functions. These corrections officers attended an honor guard boot camp at the Bergen County Police Academy instructed by Captain Kneer of the Fair Lawn Police Department. Their first official detail was at the Branchville Memorial Day Parade. For more information, please contact Sheriff Strada at 973.579.0850 or Undersheriff Wanamaker at 973.579.0875. From left to right: Lieutenant Christopher Lynch, Corrections Officer Joseph White, Corrections Officer Keith Blessing, Corrections Officer Paul Liobe, Corrections Officer Kyle Keller, Corrections Officer Robert Washer, Lieutenant John Bannon and Sheriff Michael F. Strada.

Join the race against crime on September 7, 2013 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. < Back Crime Stoppers 5K/10K Run to be held September 7 Join the race against crime on September 7, 2013 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Previous Next Join hundreds of runner/walkers and supporters in the race against crime at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 7, 2013. Pre-register by Tuesday, September 3, and the fee is $25 for either the 5K Run/Walk or 10K Run. After September 3 through race day, the fee is $30 for either race. New this year is “Early Bird” registration—register by July 31, 2013 and pay just $20 for either race. Register for the race at an external web site T-shirts and goody bags will be provided to all 5K and 10K runners/walkers while supplies last. Awards will be given to the top three male and female winners overall, the top three teams and by age groups. Enjoy food, drinks and entertainment after the event. Race proceeds will benefit the Sussex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit corporation funded by contributions from local businesses and citizens at no cost to the taxpayer. Individuals who have information relating to a crime or criminal activity in the Sussex County, New Jersey area can receive up to a $1,000.00 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals. Tips may be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers hotline at 973.300.CRIME or online anonymous tip form. Have questions or need more information about the event? Contact Andy Ball at 973.222.8748. 2013 Supporters and Partners Presented by Thorlabs, Inc. The Alternative Press, LLC Athenia Mason Supply Atlantic Health System Bimbo Bakeries USA Blue Ribbon Restaurant CenturyLink Clear Channel TriState Comet Security CP Engineers, LLC D&H Alternative Risk Solutions Eastern Propane Extreme Energy Solutions, LLC Extreme Off Road, LLC Vanessa Gabriel GBW Insurance Greater Living Foods Hardyston Twp. PBA Local 374 Hoover Truck Centers Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home Jersey Gators Swim Team Lakeland Bank Lazer One Lowe’s of Butler Main Street Laundromat Franklin Assemblywoman Alison McHose Montague Tool The Morville Agency New Jersey Herald NewJersey State Police Senator Steven Oroho The Printing Center PSE&G R&T Nautilus Ronetco Supermarkets Royal Buick GMC St. Clare’s Health System Service Electric Cable Skyland Ice World Sound Motors Inc. Sheriff Michael Strada Sussex County Community College Sussex County Fairgrounds Toyota World and Subaru World of Newton Sponsorship opportunities are still available! If you would like to make a financial contribution or partner with us in this fundraiser, please contact Lt. Larry Beller at 973.579.0865, ext. 2501 for all the details.

Members of Cub Scout, Den 5 of the Hampton Pack 96 Troop recently toured the communications facility. < Back Cub Scouts tour 911 Communications Center Members of Cub Scout, Den 5 of the Hampton Pack 96 Troop recently toured the communications facility. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently hosted a tour of the Sussex County Sheriff’s 911 Communications Center for Cub Scout, Den 5 of the Hampton Pack 96 Troop. Den leader Brandt Anderson said “Our kids are working on an advancement that requires our troop to examine the resources within their community that are designed to help the community function in a time of need.” Sheriff Strada, along with 911 Communications Director Mark Rozek, took the boys through the Sussex County Communications Center and discussed what happens when you place a 911 call. The kids received a great lesson in emergency services and how it helps the community. Mr. Anderson noted, “We are also incorporating the idea of local heroes. The kids have decided, on their own, that Sheriff Strada and his deputies are the heroes that they feel best serve our township.”

< Back Thank You First Responders Previous Next On behalf of the Sussex County Sheriff's Office and Office of Emergency Management, I would like to thank all of the First Responders who responded and assisted at the plane crash in Hampton Township. Starting with the New Jersey State Police, who with the assistance of their aviation unit, located the plane wreckage in a remote wooded area in Hampton Township. What followed was a large response from multiple agencies. These agencies included but were not limited to the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, Sussex County Sheriff Office of Emergency Management, Sussex County Fire Marshal Office, Sussex County Haz-Mat team, Hampton Township Fire Department, Stillwater Township Fire Department , Fredon Township Fire Department, Lafayette Fire Department, Ogdensburg Fire Department, Highland Lakes Fire Department, Frankford Fire Department and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. I would also like to recognize and thank the Sussex County Communications Center for ensuring that all the resources that we needed were dispatched to the accident site. Since the wreckage and the victims were located in a remote densely wooded area it made the recovery extremely difficult and challenging. Working in collaboration, the agencies were able to recover the victims and assist the NTSB with the recovery and removal of the aircraft from the woods. The First Responders, almost all of who are volunteers, spent close to 2 days assisting at the accident site. Although we all wish the outcome was better, these volunteers worked tirelessly to recover the victims and the aircraft. As the County Emergency Management Coordinator, it is comforting to know that the volunteers in Sussex County are ready and willing to respond to any emergency that we may face. I thank all of you for your assistance at the crash site and your continued hard work and dedication to your communities. Sincerely, Sheriff Michael Strada Sussex County Emergency Management Coordinator

Communications Center Director: Eric Muller The Sussex County Sheriff’s Communications Center came online in 1990 as a two dispatch position center and has evolved over the years to become a ten dispatch position, capable of serving as a single point Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all of Sussex County. Now located on county-owned property in Frankford Township, the facility answered its first 9-1-1 call on December 16, 2014 at 2:24 p.m. reporting a residential smoke condition in Hampton Township. The communications center provides regular dispatch services for the sheriff’s office and serves as a PSAP for enhanced 911 calls. The center currently serves thirteen local municipalities with 911 answering/emergency dispatch service: Branchville Borough Byram Township Frankford Township Fredon Township Green Township Hampton Township Lafayette Township Montague Township Sandyston Township Stillwater Township Sussex Borough Walpack Township Wantage Township ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Sergeant Erich Olsen was honored for his heroic actions. < Back Sheriff’s officer receives the Meritorious Service Award Sergeant Erich Olsen was honored for his heroic actions. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada was proud to present Sergeant Erich Olsen with the Meritorious Service Award for his heroic actions in coming to the aid of an individual who became trapped in his own burning vehicle beneath the trailer of a truck on Interstate Route 80. Working with bystanders, Sergeant Olsen worked to extinguish the flames and pull the vehicle from beneath the trailer enough to be able to extricate the driver. Sergeant Olsen procured additional fire extinguishers from passing motorists and used them to prevent the flames from engulfing the driver seat area. The driver was transported to a medical facility with serious life-threatening injuries. His actions, under adverse conditions with a high degree of hazard to his own personal safety, prevented the victim from suffering certain death at the scene and provided the best opportunity in surviving the serious injuries inflicted as a result of the accident. Sheriff Strada states, “Sergeant Olsen’s actions were heroic and contributed to saving the man’s life. He brings great credit to this agency and the law enforcement profession as a whole.” Sergeant Erich Olsen (left) and Sheriff Strada.

Four new sheriff’s officers have been hired for the Bureau of Law Enforcement. < Back Sheriff Strada hires four new sheriff’s officers Four new sheriff’s officers have been hired for the Bureau of Law Enforcement. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the hiring of four new sheriff’s officers in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Law Enforcement. Justin McCann, 33 years old, of Wantage Township A 2000 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer McCann grew up in Sussex County prior to joining the United States Marine Corps in 2000 where he attained the rank of sergeant. After deploying once to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and completing the terms of his enlistment, Sergeant McCann left the Marine Corps in 2004. He returned to Sussex County and began working for the Andover Township Department of Public Works where he remained until being hired by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in March 2014. Sheriff’s Officer McCann is a recent graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy and a recipient of the Merit Award. The Merit Award is an award voted on by all recruits within the class and given to the officer they believe has displayed the best performance amongst them. Sheriff’s Officer McCann is currently assigned to the courthouse security & inmate transport unit. Mark Williams, 24 years old, of Wantage Township A 2002 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Peterson grew up in Sussex County prior to joining the United States Army, New Jersey Army National Guard where he attained the rank of specialist. After deploying once to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served as a military police officer, Specialist Williams returned to Sussex County and accepted a position as a federal corrections officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons before being hired by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Williams continues to serve in the New Jersey Army National Guard. A graduate of both the United States Army Military Police School and the United States Army Combat Lifesaver course, Officer Williams holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Sussex County Community College as well as a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison University. Mark Peer, 41 years old, of Branchville A 1992 graduate of Montville High School, Sheriff’s Officer Peer grew up in neighboring Morris County before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1993. Officer Peer served for four years as an active duty marine and has continued his service in the Marine Corps Reserve where he was recently promoted to the rank of master sergeant. Following a deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009, Officer Peer moved to Sussex County. Officer Peer holds certifications as an emergency medical technician, a hazardous materials technician, customs & border clearance agent, and a weapons of mass destruction radiation/nuclear responder technician. Also a certified firefighter, Officer Peer currently serves as a lieutenant of the Frankford Township Volunteer Fire Department. Stephen Peterson, 37 years old, of Hampton Township A 1995 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Peterson is a lifelong resident of Sussex County who has been self-employed as a small business owner for almost twenty years. Officers Williams, Peer and Peterson are currently attending the Morris County Police Academy where they are expected to graduate the 83rd Basic Police Class in December 2014. Following graduation, the officers will receive a brief period of in-service orientation and training, and will be assigned to the courthouse security & inmate transport unit. The hiring of these officers is necessary to provide the state mandated security for the additional judges that have been assigned to the Sussex County courthouse. Sheriff Strada congratulates each of the new sheriff’s officers and wishes them continued success in their law enforcement careers. From left to right: Sheriff Michael F. Strada, Sheriff’s Officer Mark Williams, Sheriff’s Officer Mark Peer and Sheriff’s Officer Stephen Peterson.

Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Warns the Public of the “Jury Duty Scam” < Back Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Warns the Public of the “Jury Duty Scam” Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Warns the Public of the “Jury Duty Scam” Previous Next Press Release Contact: Sheriff Michael F. Strada For Immediate Release 973-579-0850 Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Warns the Public of the “Jury Duty Scam” Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada would like to warn the public of a scam commonly referred to as the “Jury Duty Scam”. The caller states that they are calling from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and that there is a warrant out for your arrest for not appearing for jury duty. The caller goes on to state that “you need to pay a $750 cash bond to clear the warrant”. You are then instructed to stay on the phone with the caller and drive to the Sussex County Courthouse. At this time, “a clerk will meet you outside of the courthouse to receive payment”. This is a scam. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office will never call you to collect money for missed jury duty. The caller also “spoofs” the caller ID so that the call appears to be coming from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. This is a common practice of scammers so be wary of what appears on your caller ID. They may even know your name and some personal information. Remember, scammers can easily look up information about you on the internet. The scammer is persistent and can be threatening in nature if you challenge them. The best way to avoid this scam is to hang up, and in some cases, keep hanging up. If you have concerns regarding this latest scam, please contact our office at 973-579-0850.

Two separate sales are scheduled for December. < Back Upcoming sheriff's sales of assets Two separate sales are scheduled for December. Previous Next Docket #SSX -L-489-10 Tamara and Darrell Russian vs Alessi Moving and Storage Inc., Charles Alessandrini, Highlands Self Storage, LLC, Jonathan Brett (individually and trading as Highlands Self Storage), JFB Enterprises LLC On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the following property will be sold at a public sale on the premises of D & E Service Center, 726 US Highway 206, Andover, NJ: 2001 Isuzu Box Truck VIN JALE5B14417902663 white in color Docket #FM 19-39-05 Richard Gannon vs Lauren Russell On Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Tuesday, January 8, 2013 Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., the following assets will be sold at a public sale on the premises of AA-1 Storage located at 155 Brooks Flat Rd, Ogdensburg, NJ: One 1998 Caterpillar 320B Excavator, Vin 4MR00432 One John Deere 450E Dozer, Vin # T0450EC742076 One 1998 Caterpillar 312B, Excavator Vin # 9HR02433 All items are sold in an ‘as is’ condition. Purchaser must pay purchase price at the time of sale in cash or certified check made payable to the Sussex County Sheriff and remove the items following the sale. The sheriff reserves the right to adjourn these sales; the foregoing scheduled dates are subject to change. For more information. contact the Civil Process Unit at 973.579.0850.

Arrested: Russell Decker, age 29, of Sussex Borough, NJ. < Back Fugitive jumps out window to evade arrest, captured anyway Arrested: Russell Decker, age 29, of Sussex Borough, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, December 5, 2012, sheriff’s detectives Matt Caine and William Lunger located Russell Decker at his residence in Sussex Borough. Upon hearing detectives Caine and Lunger identify themselves, and correctly surmising there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest, Decker jumped out of a second floor window and ran away from the residence to escape capture. Detectives Caine and Lunger, along with multiple other sheriff’s officers, several New Jersey State Police troopers, and a sheriff’s K-9 unit were deployed to the area but were unable to locate Decker. An additional warrant was subsequently issued for Russell Decker charging him with resisting arrest by flight and obstruction of the administration of law. Five days later, on Monday, December 10, 2012, detectives Caine and Lunger again located Russell Decker at his residence in Sussex Borough. Decker again attempted to evade capture, this time by hiding underneath his bed. Decker was located under the bed and taken into custody. Further investigation revealed a small quantity of marijuana on his person. Decker was issued summonses for resisting arrest and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and given a future court date to appear in Wantage Municipal Court. Decker was transported to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility where he remains lodged in lieu of $10,000 bail with no 10% option.

Arrested: Alexander Bellino, age 19, of Sparta, NJ. < Back Sheriff's detectives arrest man at motel in Sussex Borough Arrested: Alexander Bellino, age 19, of Sparta, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, April 7, 2011, sheriff’s detectives Mike Yanko and Richard Otte were in Sussex Borough attempting to locate Alexander Bellino, who was the subject of an outstanding Sussex County Superior Court warrant. Bellino was located at the Sussex Motel and a quantity of marijuana was found in his possession. He was taken into custody and additionally charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce. Bellino is currently lodged in the Sussex County jail without bail.