Search this site

Jeffrey Chandler will attend the statewide Leadership Excellence Direct Results (LEDR) program in August. < Back Sheriff nominates Newton youth for leadership program Jeffrey Chandler will attend the statewide Leadership Excellence Direct Results (LEDR) program in August. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently announced that he has nominated Jeffrey Chandler of Newton to participate in the inaugural session of the statewide Leadership Excellence Direct Results (LEDR) program. Developed by the Team Eagle Foundation in cooperation with the Boy Scouts of America, LEDR is a week-long retreat designed to give 14 to 20 year old students a chance to explore their leadership skills, to connect with peers and to learn how to get involved in their communities. The program will be held in August at Camp Winnebago at no cost to the participants. “It was my pleasure to nominate Jeffrey for this excellent program. His involvement in community service and his status as Cadet Senior Airman - Civil Air Patrol, Juvenile Justice Academy and Trooper Youth Week graduate makes him the perfect choice,” stated Sheriff Strada. With respect to the program, Sheriff Strada added, “the New Jersey Sheriff’s Association has played a pivotal role in the development of the LEDR, both as financial and curriculum partners. This program can only benefit our society by developing understanding citizens who care about their communities.”

Arrested: Shannon H. Foley, age 22, of Newton and Herbert W. Whitesell III, age 31, of Frankford Township, NJ. < Back Drug paraphernalia discovered on prisoner during transport Arrested: Shannon H. Foley, age 22, of Newton and Herbert W. Whitesell III, age 31, of Frankford Township, NJ. Previous Next On Friday, March 29, 2013, while assigned to fugitive transport duties, sheriff’s detectives Kieran McMorrow and William Lunger were assigned to pick up Shannon Foley and Herbert Whitesell from the New Jersey State Police barracks in Netcong and transport them to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. The New Jersey State Police had arrested both of them earlier that day. Foley was the subject of an outstanding Superior Court warrant and Whitesell was the subject of several municipal court warrants. Further investigation revealed Whitesell to be in the possession of several hypodermic syringes and a glass smoking pipe with cocaine residue. Whitesell and Foley were both transported to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility and lodged without incident. Herbert Whitesell was issued multiple summonses for possession of drug paraphernalia and issued a future court date to appear in Newton Municipal Court. He remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $6,377. Shannon Foley remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail.

Sheriff's detectives provided assistance to the Pennsylvania State Police in the investigation of a homicide involving a new born infant. < Back Sheriff's detectives assist PA authorities in homicide investigation Sheriff's detectives provided assistance to the Pennsylvania State Police in the investigation of a homicide involving a new born infant. Previous Next On June 9, 2011, sheriff’s detectives Michael Yanko and Richard Otte were attempting to locate and arrest Ms. Jennifer Barrise, who was the subject of an outstanding Sussex County Superior Court warrant for nonpayment of child support. In the course of their investigation to ascertain Ms. Barrise’s whereabouts, detectives Yanko and Otte paid a visit to the family home of Ms. Barrise’s boyfriend, Christopher Fitzpatrick, in Vernon Township. Based on information acquired from Fitzpatrick’s parents, the detectives learned that Barrise and Fitzpatrick were residing in Lake Ariel, PA. Further investigation led the detectives to suspect Barrise and Fitzpatrick may have been involved in criminal activity related to a newborn child. Detective Yanko immediately contacted investigators at the Honesdale Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police. The following day, on June 10, as a result of the information furnished by Detective Yanko, the Pennsylvania State Police opened a homicide investigation and subsequently requested investigative assistance within Sussex County from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Detective Sergeant Michael Tidaback and detectives from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office assisted Pennsylvania authorities with their investigation in New Jersey. While the matter remains under investigation in New Jersey and no charges—criminal or otherwise—are pending against either party, both Barrise and Fitzpatrick have been arrested and charged by Pennsylvania State Police. Mr. Fitzpatrick has been charged with criminal homicide, concealing the death of a child and abuse of a corpse. Ms. Barrise has been charged with criminal homicide and concealing the death of a child. Both are being held without bail at the Wayne County Correctional Facility in Texas Township, PA.

Arrested: Quintia Dessau, age 29, formerly of Dorchester, MA. < Back Sheriff’s officers arrest woman at state fair Arrested: Quintia Dessau, age 29, formerly of Dorchester, MA. Previous Next On Saturday, August 3, 2013, while assigned to traffic control during the NJ State Fair, sheriff’s officers Warren Slahor, Lew Labar and Lieutenant Lawrence Beller encountered Quintia Dessau. Further investigation revealed Dessau to be the subject of several outstanding municipal warrants from Elizabeth, Fort Lee, Linden and Atlantic City municipal courts. Dessau was immediately arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. She was ultimately turned over to the custody of the Elizabeth Police Department for transport to the Essex County Jail where she was subsequently lodged in lieu of $14,075 bail.

Arrested: Steven I. Nunes, age 34, of Franklin, NJ. < Back Probationer arrested after attempting to defraud drug test Arrested: Steven I. Nunes, age 34, of Franklin, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, Sheriff’s Officer Warren Slahor responded to the Sussex County Probation Department to investigate a report of a probationer attempting to defraud a court ordered drug test. Upon his arrival, Sheriff’s Officer Slahor encountered Steven Nunes. Further investigation revealed Nunes to be in possession of a prescription label that had been altered to include his name. Nunes was immediately placed under arrest and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed. Nunes was charged with defrauding the administration of a drug test, a third degree crime. He was given a future date to appear in Newton Municipal Court and released. Sheriff’s Officer Mike Yanko assisted in the arrest.

Sheriff Strada announces promotions < Back Sheriff Strada announces three promotions Sheriff Strada announces promotions Previous Next Press Release Contact: Sheriff Michael F. Strada February 1, 2024 973-579-0850 Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotions within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Kieran McMorrow has been promoted to Lieutenant. A 1992 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School, a United States Army veteran, and a 24-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant McMorrow began his law enforcement career in 2000 when he was hired as a Corrections Officer by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections. That same year, he transferred to a position as a Sheriff’s Officer in the Bureau of Law Enforcement. Throughout his career, Lieutenant McMorrow has been assigned to several different units including, The Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit, the Sheriff’s Traffic Unit, the Sussex County Hazardous Materials Team (HAZMAT), the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. Lieutenant McMorrow has received numerous awards throughout his career. Lieutenant McMorrow holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He currently serves as a supervisor for the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit as well as the Public Information Officer of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Following this promotion, Lieutenant McMorrow will be assigned to oversee the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit. Corporal Joseph Cahill has been promoted to Sergeant. A 1999 Wallkill Valley Regional High School graduate and a United States Army veteran who deployed in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant Cahill began his law enforcement career in 2005 when he was hired as a Federal Corrections Officer by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 2007, he accepted a position as a Sheriff’s Officer in the Bureau of Law Enforcement and was assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit. A certified Field Training Officer (FTO), throughout his career, Sergeant Cahill has served in several units including the Detective Bureau, the Home Detention Program, and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Sergeant Cahill holds Associate’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Sussex County Community College. Following his promotion, Sergeant Cahill will be assigned to supervise Sheriff’s Officers assigned to the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transport Unit. Sergeant Bennett Milnor has been promoted to Lieutenant in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections. A lifelong Sussex County resident and a 2001 graduate of Lenape Valley Regional High School, Lieutenant Milnor was hired as a Corrections Officer in May of 2003. In January of 2010, he was assigned as the Sheriff’s Work Assistance Program (SWAP) coordinator where he oversaw the inmate labor program. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December of 2011 and has been a shift supervisor since. In addition to his daily duties, he was responsible for overseeing inmate disciplinary hearings from 2017 through 2019 as well as maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the Bureau of Corrections. In July of 2023, he was reassigned to oversee the daily operations of the Bureau of Corrections which include inmate transports from police agencies statewide to the Morris County Jail as well as inmate hospital transports. Sheriff Strada stated “I am proud of these Officers and I congratulate them on their achievements. I have the utmost confidence in their leadership abilities and look forward to working with them.” Left to Right Lieutenant Bennett Milnor, Lieutenant Kieran McMorrow, Sheriff Michael Strada and Sergeant Joseph Cahill

K-9 team graduates from the Bergen County Police Academy K-9 Patrol class. < Back K-9 team graduates training academy K-9 team graduates from the Bergen County Police Academy K-9 Patrol class. Previous Next On January 28, 2011, the team of K-9 Atlas and Sheriff’s Officer Kieran McMorrow completed an extensive four month training program comprised of instruction in canine obedience, human tracking, handler protection, and criminal apprehension. Additionally, K-9 Atlas is cross trained as a narcotics detection canine. Sheriff Michael F. Strada recognizes the value of trained K-9 teams as a tool for effective law enforcement and is pleased to offer the services of K-9 Atlas and Sheriff’s Officer McMorrow to the municipal law enforcement agencies of Sussex County. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office currently has three K-9 teams, offering specialized services in narcotics detection, explosives detection, and search and rescue.

Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Congratulates 911 Communications Center Dispatch Supervisor Andrea Wehrenberg on her Retirement < Back Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Congratulates 911 Communications Center Dispatch Supervisor Andrea Wehrenberg on her Retirement Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Congratulates 911 Communications Center Dispatch Supervisor Andrea Wehrenberg on her Retirement Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Congratulates 911 Communications Center Dispatch Supervisor Andrea Wehrenberg on her Retirement. Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada and the staff at the Sussex County Sheriff’s 911 Communications Center would like to congratulate, dispatch supervisor, Andrea Wehrenberg on her retirement after a combined 30 years of service. Andrea started dispatching for Newton Police Department in July of 1991 and worked there until March of 2020. Andrea was also a police matron and training officer for most of her 27 years at the department. In 2015 Andrea became a full-time dispatcher for Sussex County communications when the center first opened. She was quickly promoted to supervisor in March of 2016 due to her qualifications, experience and ability to lead. Andrea has become a pillar in the Sussex County communications Center. She is the training coordinator for the Communication center, TAC officer, most senior Supervisor, and our go to person for anything we may need help with professionally or personal. She single handed created our new training program and she has achieved numerous awards throughout her time here including dispatcher of the month multiple times, countless CPR saves, letters of commendation, and more. Andrea is also the only dispatcher to receive a stork pin after giving instructions via 911 to deliver a baby. All of the staff at the Sussex County Communications Center. extend our best wishes to her in her retirement and recognize that her presence here will most certainly be missed. Pictured left to right, 911 Communications Center Director Mark Rozek, Dispatch Supervisor Andrea Wehrenberg and Sheriff Michael F. Strada

Correction's Sergeant Will Puentes, a 16-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was recently promoted to lieutenant. < Back Corrections sergeant promoted to lieutenant Correction's Sergeant Will Puentes, a 16-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was recently promoted to lieutenant. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the promotion of Correction’s Sergeant Will Puentes to Correction’s Lieutenant. Lt. Puentes, a 16-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections, began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in 1995. He was promoted to sergeant in 2004 and assigned to supervise the midnight shift. A member of the Sheriff’s Tactical Response Unit, Lt. Puentes is a graduate of the New Jersey State Department of Corrections Academy and holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Monmouth University. Commenting on Lt. Puentes’ leadership qualities at the swearing-in ceremony, Sheriff Strada cited Puentes’ exemplary employment history and past supervisory performance as a catalyst in his decision to promote him. “It will be a pleasure having him serve the people of Sussex County and the office of the sheriff. His dedication and chosen career path in the corrections field have shown him to be a conscientious, eager and valuable employee.” Sheriff Strada offered congratulations to Lieutenant Puentes and stated that he knows that “the highest standards and tradition of the office of the sheriff will continue with the promotion of such a fine officer.” Sheriff Strada is also pleased to announce the rank of corporal has been awarded to corrections officers Erich Olsen and Anthony Masucci. Cpl. Olsen and Cpl. Masucci, both 15-year veterans of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections, have worked at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility since 1996.

Arrested: Michael Maloney, age 34, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back Man arrested at the Newton MVC for multiple warrants Arrested: Michael Maloney, age 34, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, April 21, 2011, while assigned to the Motor Vehicle Commission facility in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Shilling encountered Michael Maloney attempting to obtain an identification card. Further investigation by Sheriff’s Officer Shilling revealed the existence of several outstanding municipal court warrants and a Superior Court warrant for Maloney’s arrest. Sheriff’s Officer Shilling immediately took Maloney into custody. Maloney is currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in excess of $12,000 bail.

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.

The deputy emergency management coordinator attended FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. < Back Corporal Mark Vogel graduates FEMA Executive Academy The deputy emergency management coordinator attended FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Previous Next Corporal Mark Vogel, CEM , the deputy emergency management coordinator for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, recently graduated from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Corporal Vogel, who has served as deputy emergency management coordinator for the past fifteen years, completed the full curriculum that supports the advancement of the emergency management profession at strategic policy and executive leadership levels. This program has enhanced his talents in emergency management through critical thinking, visionary strategic planning, negotiation, and conflict resolution applied to complex real-world problems. Corporal Vogel completed the four resident courses in the Executive Academy to include: E0680 Examining Emergency Management Policy and Doctrine; E0682 Leading Complex Systems; E0684 Interpreting the Contemporary Emergency Management Environment; E0686 Creating the Emergency Management Stakeholder Community; and a collaborative capstone project. The Executive Academy instills emergency management leaders with a deeper understanding of contemporary and emerging emergency management issues, debates and public policy. It provides insights, theories, tools and resources that enable decision-makers to think and act more strategically and to build capacity to protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all types of disasters. Sheriff Strada, stating that Corporal Vogel’s training will continue to enhance the operations of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management, commends Corporal Vogel for graduating from this prestigious program. Corporal Mark Vogel (right) is congratulated by FEMA’s Dr. Daniel Kaniewski as he graduates. Photo by Shane Gibbon/FEMA.