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.

Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada is saddened to announce the death of retired K9 Roxi, our narcotics detection Canine, who died unexpectedly on Friday February 28, 2025. < Back Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada is saddened to announce the death of retired K9 Roxi, our narcotics detection Canine, who died unexpectedly on Friday February 28, 2025. Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada is saddened to announce the death of retired K9 Roxi, our narcotics detection Canine, who died unexpectedly on Friday February 28, 2025. Previous Next Press Release Contact: Sheriff Michael F. Strada For Immediate Release 973-579-0850 March 4, 2025 Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada is saddened to announce the death of retired K9 Roxi, our narcotics detection Canine, who died unexpectedly on Friday February 28, 2025. K9 Roxi and her partner Detective Justin McCann served for 8 years with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout her years of service, K9 Roxi responded to hundreds of calls that included school searches, DWI check points, K9 demonstrations, and roadside vehicle and residential searches. K9 Roxi worked with every local law enforcement agency within Sussex County and assisted both the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force and the New Jersey State Police. Additionally, K9 Roxi assisted with calls within Morris, Warren, and Union Counties as well as the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security. When K9 Roxi wasn’t on duty, she resided with Detective McCann and his family. Sheriff Strada and the men and women of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offer our sincerest condolences to Detective McCann and his family. K9 Roxi will be missed by many.

Arrested: Robert J. Slater, age 26, of Ogdensburg, NJ. < Back Man arrested at courthouse after attempting to fake drug test Arrested: Robert J. Slater, age 26, of Ogdensburg, NJ. Previous Next On Monday, March 21, 2011, Robert Slater was arrested by Sheriff’s Officer Johnny Swords after allegedly attempting to defraud the administration of a court ordered drug test. Sheriff’s Officer Swords took Slater into custody and, upon further investigation, discovered an outstanding municipal court warrant against him. Slater was charged with attempting to defraud the administration of a drug test and lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility on $25,000 bail.

Lieutenant Boden serves the Bureau of Corrections. < Back Sergeant Andrew Boden promoted to the rank of lieutenant Lieutenant Boden serves the Bureau of Corrections. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the promotion of Sergeant Andrew Boden to the rank of lieutenant. For the past 19 years, Lieutenant Boden has been heavily relied upon and has served as an integral part of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau. His knowledge, experience, abilities and interpersonal skills make Lieutenant Boden a great law enforcement officer and a leader. Lieutenant Boden serves the Corrections Bureau on the Special Operations Group, Honor Guard Unit, and HAZMAT teams and has always gone above and beyond his normal scope of duties. Sheriff Strada stated, “Many officers look up to Lieutenant Boden because of his strong leadership skills and his ability to handle personal and professional issues. He always carries his duties out in a respectful, fair, and professional manner.” Sheriff Strada congratulates Lieutenant Boden and wishes him the best of luck in his new capacity.

View a list of OEM coordinators for all Sussex County towns. < Back Hurricane Sandy and municipal OEM coordinators View a list of OEM coordinators for all Sussex County towns. Previous Next In anticipation of the upcoming storm, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Division of Emergency Management has made available a list of local OEM coordinators for each municipality in the county. For life hazard emergencies, call 9-1-1. For loss of electricity, call your power provider. For all other storm-related inquiries, call you local municipal emergency management coordinator. View list of municipal emergency coordinators »

< Back Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada Commissions the Sussex Technical School’s Graphic Arts Class to Design New Logo for Rescue Vehicle Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently called upon the students in the Sussex Technical School’s Graphic Design class to develop a new and modern Sheriff’s Office badge logo for their Polaris All Terrain Rescue Vehicle. Working closely with the Graphic Design teacher, Mr. Steven Styles, the class was able to design and submit multiple entries for Sheriff Strada’s review. Ms. Gabrielle Singer, a graduating Senior from the Sussex Technical School designed the winning submission. “This was a project that I felt was important to the local students as they were able to see their hard work used in a “real life” application” said Sheriff Strada. The Polaris UTV will be used by the Sussex County Sheriff’s office in the event of a rescue in areas of the county that are more difficult to access. Sheriff Strada was able to have the project completed just in time for the class to see the finished product. “I want to thank the students and Mr. Styles for working together with myself and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office to create such a great logo” said Sheriff Strada. Pictured From left to right: Aidan Gagg, Courtney Breur, Gabrielle Singer, Kurt Hughes, Mr. Styles

Three recruits successfully graduated from the Morris County Police Academy. < Back Bureau of Law Enforcement welcomes three new officers Three recruits successfully graduated from the Morris County Police Academy. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the recent graduation of three sheriff’s officers from the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy’s 90th Basic Police Class. Steven Sugar is a 2006 graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School, a 10-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard and a lifelong resident of Sussex County. Locally, Officer Sugar has served as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) for many years. He currently serves as fire captain of the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company. Following a period of supervised field training, Officer Sugar will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Steven Kniedl is a 2006 graduate of the Sussex County Technical School and a United States Marine Corps veteran. Officer Kneidl also holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University. While attending the police academy, Officer Kneidl was awarded the 200 Club of Morris County Leadership Award as well as the New Jersey Police Training Commission Merit Award. Following a period of supervised field training, Officer Kneidl will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Joseph Decker is a 2009 graduate of Newton High School, a United States Marine Corps veteran and a lifelong resident of Sussex County. Officer Decker is currently attending Sussex County Community College where he is pursuing an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Following a period of supervised field training, Officer Decker will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Recently, at a small ceremony held at the sheriff’s office, Sheriff Strada greeted the new officers and administered the oath of office to each of them. Sheriff Strada joins the rest of the Bureau of Law Enforcement in welcoming these three new officers to the sheriff’s office and wishing them success in their careers. Sheriff Michael F. Strada welcomes three new officers.

Arrested: Alec S. Bloom, age 19, of Andover Township, NJ. < Back Andover Township man arrested at DMV Arrested: Alec S. Bloom, age 19, of Andover Township, NJ. Previous Next At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012, while assigned to the Motor Vehicle Commission in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Scott Haggerty observed Alec S. Bloom. Believing Bloom to be the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant, Sheriff’s Officer Haggerty began to question him. While they were speaking, Sheriff’s Officer John Swords arrived to assist. Further investigation revealed the existence of three separate municipal court warrants for Bloom’s arrest originating from Hopatcong and Roxbury. Officer Swords immediately took Bloom into custody and transported him to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility where he was lodged in lieu of $2,750 bail.

Police seek information about diner vandalism. < Back Crime Stoppers offers $6,000 reward Police seek information about diner vandalism. Previous Next Thanks to the help of an anonymous donor, Crime Stoppers is offering a $6,000.00 reward for information resulting in the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for defacing the Airport Diner in Wantage with swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti on September 16, 2017. Submit an anonymous tip »

He graduated from the FBI National Academy Program’s 260th session held in Quantico, Virginia. < Back Sheriff Strada graduates FBI program He graduated from the FBI National Academy Program’s 260th session held in Quantico, Virginia. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada has graduated from the FBI National Academy Program’s 260th session held in Quantico, Virginia. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI’s ten week program is a professional development course for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders. In attendance at the 260th session were leaders from 47 states, military organizations and federal civilian organizations with 22 of the students from 20 foreign countries. Its mission is “to support, promote and enhance the personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders by preparing them for complex, dynamic and contemporary challenges through innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, and forging partnerships throughout the world.” Less than 1 percent of law enforcement executives in the country ever receive the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy. As a leader with a proven record as a professional within the law enforcement community, Sheriff Strada considers it an honor and a privilege to have been chosen to attend.

Sheriff Strada was a guest speaker at the Sparta Woman’s Club luncheon. < Back Sparta Woman’s Club hosts Sheriff Strada Sheriff Strada was a guest speaker at the Sparta Woman’s Club luncheon. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada was a guest speaker at the Sparta Woman’s Club luncheon held recently at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta. Sheriff Strada was invited to share a presentation on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office with the audience of fifty members. During the presentation, he spoke about the history of the sheriff’s office, the Bureau of Law Enforcement/Corrections Unit, the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP)/Sheriff’s Work Assistance Program (SWAP), Emergency Management/Fire Marshal responsibilities along with the many community programs that are in place such as Crime Stoppers, Project Lifesaver, Outbound 9-1-1, Register Ready, D.A.R.E., TRIAD and CERT programs. The presentation, designed to educate the public about the many services that the sheriff’s office provides to the citizens of Sussex County, was followed by a question and answer session. Sheriff Strada would like to encourage any organization which is interested in learning more about the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office to contact it at 973.579.0850. Pictured from left to right: Marjorie Strohsahl, Corresponding Secretary/FWCNJ Past President, Sheriff Michael F. Strada and Stevie Fava, Co-President.

Arrested: Christopher Kotz, age 30 and Johnathan DeLucchi, age 23, both of Hopatcong, NJ. < Back Sheriff's K-9 search results in seizure of heroin brick Arrested: Christopher Kotz, age 30 and Johnathan DeLucchi, age 23, both of Hopatcong, NJ. Previous Next On September 2, 2011, Sheriff’s Officer Kieran McMorrow and Sheriff’s K-9 Atlas were assigned to assist the Hopatcong Police Department which was conducting a DWI traffic checkpoint. Sheriff’s Officer McMorrow utilized K-9 Atlas to search several vehicles stopped at the checkpoint. One of the vehicles searched was occupied by Kotz and DeLucchi. Further investigation of that vehicle revealed a “brick” consisting of approximately 50 bags of heroin and a hypodermic syringe hidden behind the glove compartment. Both Kotz and DeLucchi were immediately taken into custody by Hopatcong Police. Kotz and DeLucchi, both charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, are currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 bail.