Join the race against crime on September 14, 2019 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. < Back Crime Stoppers 5K/12K race results Join the race against crime on September 14, 2019 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Previous Next Participants raced against crime at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 14, 2019. View the race results Thank you to our sponsors and all who took part in this great event. See you next year!

Strada recently attended one of the nation’s most respected training opportunities available for sheriffs. < Back Sheriff Strada graduates leadership program Strada recently attended one of the nation’s most respected training opportunities available for sheriffs. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently attended and graduated from the National Sheriffs’ Institute in Aurora, Colorado. This no-cost program is sponsored by the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). Sheriff Strada was one of twenty-nine sheriffs from throughout the United States who was chosen to attend this nationally recognized leadership training program. He was the first sheriff in Sussex County to attend and one of only a handful of sheriffs from the state of New Jersey. The week-long training focused on contemporary challenges facing America’s sheriffs today. Attendees explored the role of the local sheriff in providing effective leadership for the public good in such areas as public safety, criminal justice system policy, community relations and organization effectiveness and efficiency. Fred G. Wilson, NSA Director of Operations, said “Sheriff Strada is a leader with a vision for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. It is an honor to have Sheriff Strada join the more than 2,500 graduates of the National Sheriffs’ Institute since 1973. The National Sheriffs’ Institute is the only national executive leadership program designed for sheriffs.”

Arrested: Stephen Honthy, age 39, formerly of Hopatcong and Dawn Stewart, age 49, of Fredon Twp., NJ. < Back Fredon Township woman arrested after harboring fugitive Arrested: Stephen Honthy, age 39, formerly of Hopatcong and Dawn Stewart, age 49, of Fredon Twp., NJ. Previous Next On July 6, 2011, sheriff’s detectives Michael Yanko and Richard Otte were attempting to locate and arrest Stephen Honthy, who was the subject of an outstanding Sussex County Superior Court warrant for contempt. Detectives Yanko and Otte had received information that Honthy was staying at the residence of Ms. Dawn Stewart in Fredon Township. On an earlier occasion, detectives Yanko and Otte had approached Honthy at that location and he had fled from them. At that time, Ms. Stewart had denied Honthy was staying with her. On the afternoon of July 6, detectives Yanko and Otte returned to the Stewart residence and discovered Honthy there. He was immediately taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Honthy had been residing at the Stewart home for some time. Subsequently, Dawn Stewart was taken into custody for harboring Honthy at her residence. Stewart was charged with obstructing the administration of law and hindering the apprehension of another. She received summonses for both charges and was released pending an appearance in municipal court. Honthy was charged with resisting arrest by flight. He is currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility with no bail.

Corporal Daniel Storey received the recognition from the Knights of Columbus. < Back Local organization names sheriff’s corporal “Officer of the Year” Corporal Daniel Storey received the recognition from the Knights of Columbus. Previous Next Sheriff’s Corporal Daniel Storey has been named 2013 Officer of the Year by the Knights of Columbus, Marquette Council #588 , and was presented with the council’s “shield” award at a May 10, 2013 awards ceremony. Corporal Storey began his law enforcement career as a Class II special police officer in Vernon Township in 1986. He remained in Vernon until 1990, whereupon he accepted a position as a sheriff’s correction’s officer. In 1991, Corporal Storey joined the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement as a sheriff’s investigator, a position in which he continues to serve. A 23-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Corporal Storey has been involved in the child safety seat program, Project Lifesaver and the school walk-through program. He has been a certified D.A.R.E. instructor for over 20 years and has taught over 6,000 Sussex County students throughout his career. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Corporal Storey is very active in the Sussex County community. He serves on the board of the community of his residence where he is involved in several scholarship committees. He is the current chairperson of the Vernon Township Republican Committee and the District 19 committeeman for the Sussex County Republican Committee. He is an active member of the Wanderer’s Car Club. Sheriff Strada congratulates Corporal Storey on his honor and wishes him continued success in his career. Said the Sheriff, “Although every member of the sheriff’s office performs his or her duties in a professional manner, Corporal Storey is an example of the good work that one individual officer can do. I’m happy to see him recognized for his outstanding accomplishments. He is a credit to this agency and Sussex County in general.”

On April 2, 2015 the sheriff’s Facebook page and website are “going blue” to show support for Light It Up Blue on World Autism Awareness Day. < Back Sheriff’s office participates in World Autism Awareness Day On April 2, 2015 the sheriff’s Facebook page and website are “going blue” to show support for Light It Up Blue on World Autism Awareness Day. Previous Next On April 2, 2015 the sheriff’s Facebook page and website are “going blue” to show support for Light It Up Blue on World Autism Awareness Day and to raise awareness for the autistic citizens of Sussex County. The sheriff’s office is pleased to be able to offer increased safety to autistic children and adults and peace of mind to their families with its Project Lifesaver Program. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office currently provides Project Lifesaver transmitters free of charge to any Sussex County resident diagnosed with a condition that may cause a propensity to wander. These transmitters emit a radio frequency unique to the transmitter that Sussex County sheriff’s officers use to locate a missing individual. This technology has cut search times from hours and days to an average of just 30 minutes according to Project Life Saver International. For questions or more information on Project Lifesaver, contact the Project Lifesaver Administrator Sergeant Krista Galante at 973.579.0850, ext. 2520. Learn more about Light It Up Blue »

The monetary donation was used to purchase equipment for the program. < Back Project Lifesaver receives donation from Division of Senior Services The monetary donation was used to purchase equipment for the program. Previous Next Sheriff Strada recently accepted a donation on behalf of his office from the Sussex County Division of Senior Services. The monetary donation was used to purchase Project Lifesaver equipment, including a mobile locator tracking system. Project Lifesaver is an international program that assists sheriff’s personnel in locating individuals who have wandered away from home due to Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome, dementia and other related cognitive disorders. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office has offered the Project Lifesaver program to county residents since 2005. Citizens enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small personal transmitter around their wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies the sheriff’s office and a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer’s area to begin searching using a mobile locator tracking system. Most who wander are found within a few miles of their homes and search times for these individuals have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. The average recovery time to locate a Project Lifesaver client is 30 minutes—that’s 95% less time than standard recovery operations. The Sussex County Division of Senior Services is a county department mandated by the federal government as part of the Older Americans Act. It serves as a connection for the elderly to services and programs designed to support seniors’ independence and quality of life. The mission of the division is to enable older individuals and/or their caregivers to choose from a coordinated system of services that allows seniors to live as independently as possible in their homes and in their communities while enjoying a dignified quality of life. Sheriff Strada, expressing his gratitude for the donation, thanked Lorraine Hentz for her agency’s continued commitment to improving the quality of life for our county’s seniors. (L to R) Sgt. Krista Galante, Project Lifesaver Coordinator, Lorraine Hentz, Director of the Sussex County Division of Senior Services, and Sheriff Michael F. Strada display the equipment purchased with the donated funds.

Arrested: Stacy Spencer, age 48, of Newton, NJ. < Back Warrant arrest in Newton Arrested: Stacy Spencer, age 48, of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, while off-duty, Sheriff’s Officer Mike Yanko observed Stacy Spencer in the Town of Newton. Knowing Spencer to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court arrest warrant, Yanko notified Sheriff’s Communications which verified the warrant and dispatched two officers to apprehend Spencer. Sheriff’s officers Kieran McMorrow and Darrin McDowell encountered Spencer a short time later and immediately placed him under arrest. Spencer was transported to the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility where he is currently lodged without bail.

This brings the total reward to $6,000. < Back Additional award announced by Sheriff Strada for safe return of missing Seeing Eye dog This brings the total reward to $6,000. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada and the commissioners of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers organization would like to announce the contribution of an additional $1,000 for information leading to the safe return of The Seeing Eye of Morristown’s missing 14-month old puppy-in-training, Ondrea. The Seeing Eye of Morristown previously announced a $5,000 reward for the safe return of Ondrea. Sheriff Strada states, “While this may not currently be considered a “crime,” we feel that if someone has taken her, this additional reward may aid in her safe return.” The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office has a great relationship with The Seeing Eye of Morristown as two of the office’s working K9s were donated to our office. This brings the total reward to $6,000. Sheriff Strada is urging residents to be vigilant in the search for the missing dog but encourages anyone with information to contact The Seeing Eye at 973.525.1084. Tips may be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers hotline at 973.300.CRIME or online anonymous tip form .

Arrested: James Sanford, age 38, of Stanhope, NJ and Torey Posey, age 34, of Newton, NJ. < Back Two warrant arrests in the probation department Arrested: James Sanford, age 38, of Stanhope, NJ and Torey Posey, age 34, of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, while assigned to the Sussex County Probation Department, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered James Sanford. Knowing Sanford to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court arrest warrant, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill placed him under arrest and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Sanford was subsequently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail. Later that day, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill encountered Torey Posey. Knowing Posey to be the subject of an active arrest warrant out of Sparta Municipal Court, Sheriff’s Officer Cahill immediately placed Posey under arrest. He was transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed and then lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,500 bail.

New officers sworn in, celebrating reading, 8th grade jail tour and active shooter civilian response training. < Back Recent Happenings New officers sworn in, celebrating reading, 8th grade jail tour and active shooter civilian response training. Previous Next New Officers Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada was proud to have sworn in Sheriff’s Officer Peter Vex, Sheriff’s Officer Kenneth Farber, Sheriff’s Officer Robert Washer and Sheriff’s Officer William Underwood. Sheriff Strada wishes to congratulate the newest officers and their families as they begin their new careers. Be safe. Read Across America Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada recognizes the role reading plays in our community. He joined Mrs. Shannon Percey’s first graders at Ogdensburg School to read Pete the Cat and celebrate his own love of reading while motivating the children to read. Sheriff Strada realizes reading is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2—Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens and books. Thank you Mrs. Percey and the Ogdensburg School for inviting Sheriff Strada to take part in this important event. Jail Tour Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada had the pleasure of addressing a group of Kittatinny Regional High School students from Mr. Anderson’s 8th grade Social Studies class as they began their tour of the Keough Dwyer Correctional Facility. This gave the students the chance to experience their class curriculum first hand. Active Shooter Civilian Response Training Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada and members of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office-Special Operations Group were invited to speak on the subject of “Civilian Response/Active Shooter” at the Beemerville Presbyterian Church. Members of the Beemerville Presbyterian Church as well as other churches from throughout Sussex County attended. The attendees were taught the concepts of “Run, Hide, Fight” should they ever be confronted by an active shooter. Sheriff Strada and the instructors emphasized the importance of being aware of your surroundings including exits and identifying objects that can be used to hide or fight. Sheriff Strada would like to thank the Beemerville Presbyterian Church for hosting such an important event.

Personnel were recently recognized by Sheriff Strada for exceptional and meritorious service. < Back Sheriff honors officers at awards ceremony Personnel were recently recognized by Sheriff Strada for exceptional and meritorious service. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada recently honored several sheriff’s officers for exceptional and meritorious service in a ceremony held at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Lawrence Beller and Sheriff’s Officer Matthew Maines were presented with the Sheriff’s Lifesaving Award for their efforts in assisting to resuscitate an individual in cardiac arrest in Frankford Township on August 10, 2011. While assigned to monitor parking areas during last year’s New Jersey State Fair, Lt. Beller and Sheriff’s Officer Maines encountered a man laying face down and unresponsive. They requested advanced medical assistance and began an assessment of the patient’s condition. Beller and Maines checked the man’s pulse, rolled him over, and cleared his airway. When paramedics arrived, Beller and Maines briefed them on the patient’s known condition and assisted as an Automated External Defibrillator was used to “shock” the patient. The man was transported by ambulance to a nearby medical center where he successfully recovered from his injuries. But for the initiative and alert actions of Lieutenant Beller and Sheriff’s Officer Maines, the man may very well have not survived. Lieutenant Beller has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1995. He is currently assigned to supervise the Court Security and Transportations Unit. Sheriff’s Officer Maines has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 2009. He is currently assigned to the Court Security and Transportations Unit. Sheriff’s Officer John Freykar was presented with the Sheriff’s Life Saving Award for his actions in preventing an inmate from committing suicide on January 27, 2012. Sheriff’s Officer Freykar has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 2005. He is currently assigned to the Court Security and Transportations Unit. Captain George Kately, III and Sheriff’s Officer Mark Vogel were presented with the Sheriff’s Exceptional Duty Award. The Exceptional Duty Award is awarded to those sheriff’s personnel who, as a result of training, devotion to duty, or service to the public, bring acclaim to themselves, the office, or the police profession. Both Captain Kately and Sheriff’s Officer Vogel, each serving as deputy emergency management coordinator alternately, coordinated all Office of Emergency Management resources during Hurricane Irene in August, 2011. Captain Kately has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1988. He currently serves as a deputy coordinator of the Division of Emergency Management. Sheriff’s Officer Vogel has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1998. Additionally, Sheriff’s Officer Vogel was presented with the Sheriff’s Educational Achievement Award for obtaining a baccalaureate degree in human services from Thomas A. Edison State College. He currently serves as a deputy coordinator of the Division of Emergency Management. Sergeant John Gray was presented with the Honorable Service Award for his actions during a domestic violence assault that occurred in Sandyston Township on February 14, 2011. Sergeant Gray has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1991 and is currently assigned to supervise the Traffic and Community Policing units. Sheriff’s Officer Warren Slahor was presented with the Good Conduct Medal and a Department Appreciation Award from the Stevens Institute of Technology Police Department for his assistance to them during an arson investigation in April 2008. That investigation ultimately led to the apprehension and prosecution of an individual who had purposely set a series of fires in a dormitory building on campus. Sheriff’s Officer Slahor has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 2001. He is currently assigned to the Court Security and Transportations Unit. Sergeant Clayton Arnott was presented with the Sheriff’s Achievement Award in recognition of his tireless dedication and assistance to the Sheriff’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program. Sergeant Arnott began his law enforcement career with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. He is currently serving as the sheriff’s office administration sergeant and accreditation manager. Sheriff’s Officer William Lunger was presented with a letter of commendation for his actions during a fatal motor vehicle accident in Hardyston on May 13, 2012. Sheriff’s Officer Lunger has served in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 2010. He is currently assigned to the detective bureau. Sheriff Strada congratulated each of the above named recipients and thanked them for their continued service. Award recipients and attendees standing from L-R are Undersheriff Keith Armstrong, Sergeant Clayton Arnott, Captain George Kately, Sheriff’s Officer John Freykar, Sheriff’s Officer Warren Slahor, Sheriff’s Officer Matt Maines, Sheriff’s Officer William Lunger and Sheriff Michael F. Strada. Seated from L-R are Lieutenant Lawrence Beller, Sergeant John Gray, and Sheriff’s Officer Mark Vogel.

Three staff members from the Bureau of Law Enforcement were recently promoted. < Back New promotions within the Bureau of Law Enforcement Three staff members from the Bureau of Law Enforcement were recently promoted. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotions within the Bureau of Law Enforcement. Lieutenant Lawrence J. Beller , a United State Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a 21-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, has been promoted to captain. Captain Beller has been a member of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office since 1995. In 2005, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to supervise the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit. In 2010, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to oversee the supervision of the courthouse unit. Following his promotion, Captain Beller has been assigned to oversee the daily operations of the Bureau of Law Enforcement. In addition to being awarded several honors throughout his career, Captain Beller received the Sheriff’s Lifesaving Award in 2011 for his rapid and successful response during a medical emergency at the Sussex County Fair. Captain Beller is a graduate of the 61st Middlesex County Police Academy Basic Police Class and the United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Leadership and Supervision course. Sergeant Derek Nerlinger has been promoted to lieutenant. A 1993 graduate of Sparta High School, a United States Army Veteran, and a 15-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant Nerlinger began his law enforcement career in 2000 when he was hired as a federal corrections officer by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The following year, he accepted a position as a sheriff’s officer in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. In 2008, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to supervise the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit. A recipient of the United States Armed Forces Ribbon as well as the Hurricane Irene Service Ribbon, Lieutenant Nerlinger is a graduate of the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute’s 87th Basic Police Class, the United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Leadership and Supervision course, and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey School of Graduate and Continuing Studies Front Line Supervision Program. Following his promotion, Lieutenant Nerlinger has been assigned to oversee the supervision of the Courthouse Security & Prisoner Transportation Unit. Corporal Michael Yanko , a 21-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and a United States Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm, has been promoted to sergeant. He began his career serving in the courts and transportations unit. He was then assigned to the Community Policing/Civil Process Unit. His next assignment was as a detective in the Warrant Unit. Sergeant Yanko served in the Warrant Unit for 13 years. During his assignment in the Warrant Unit, Sergeant Yanko cleared over 9,000 arrest warrants. He also served in the Sheriff’s Tactical Response Unit (TRU). For the past three years, Sergeant Yanko has been assigned to the Sheriff’s Home Detention Program. Sergeant Yanko is a two-time recipient of the Sheriff’s Achievement Award, Hurricane Irene Service Ribbon and United States Armed Forces Ribbon. He has also received numerous letters of commendations throughout his career. Sgt. Yanko is a graduate of the Morris County Police Academy. Sheriff Strada thanks each of the above members for their service and congratulates them on their new positions.