CERT Join the Sussex County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and become better prepared to respond to emergency situations right here in your own community. Members of Sussex County’s CERT give critical support to first responders in emergencies, provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site, and collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. CERT members receive training in the following areas: disaster preparedness disaster fire suppression medical operations light search and rescue operations disaster psychology and team organization terrorism and CERT disaster simulation Total basic training is usually about 24 hours, scheduled in 2-1/2 hour modules over a period of weeks. Training courses, materials and equipment are provided free of charge. To become a CERT member, you must be at least 18 years of age. For more information, contact CERT coordinator Eric Muller at 973.579.0380, ext. 2536. New Jersey Office of Emergency Management CERT web site »

SLAP The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office offers the Sheriffs Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) to certain non-violent offenders sentenced to a term supervised by the Sussex Sheriff’s Office. This program has been highly successful and is explained in sections listed below. Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) The SLAP program is a community-based labor program that provides a structured alternative to incarceration for persons sentenced by Sussex County Courts. Persons sentenced to SLAP are able to pay their dept to society by performing moderate levels of manual labor. This enables them to maintain employment, provide for their families and continue to be productive members of society while satisfying their sentence. Offenders are prudently screened and only those with nonviolent, minor offenses are admitted into the program. Participants are required to follow all rules and regulations or face having their SLAP sentence revoked. At that time, they may be required to serve the remainder of their sentence in jail. SLAP participants provide non-skilled manual labor to nonprofit public and private agencies at no cost. Many organizations within Sussex County use the program regularly. SLAP participants are supervised by armed Officers at all times and are never left at jobs sites without supervision. Work that cannot be done by SLAP participants: SLAP does not work at private companies, personal homes or areas that are deemed unsafe by Sheriff's Office personnel. SLAP participants are not allowed to operate power tools such as chain saws and riding lawnmowers. Participants are not allowed to climb ladders that are over 10 feet off the ground. Participants cannot enter rivers, lakes or other bodies of water. Participants cannot remove poison ivy, oak, sumac, etc. Nonprofit Sussex County agencies seeking to enlist SLAP participants for a specified project must submit all requests in writing on organization letterhead. The request should detail the work that you would like done, where it is located and who the contact person is. Written requests should be sent to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 39 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860. All jobs must be checked prior to starting; a representative from the SLAP program will check the job site prior to beginning a project. You will also be required to fill out a work request form stating the type of services requested, that form will be provided by the Officer who will contact you for final approval. Please note the following: SLAP does not dispose of garbage collected; it is the requesting agency’s responsibility to arrange for pickup. All equipment that is needed for a job has to be provided by the requesting agency (i.e., rakes, shovels, push mowers, garbage bags etc.). For further information about SLAP, contact Corporal James Aumick or Corporal Brian Snyder at 973-579-0875 ext. 2307

< 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

Wantage and Sussex Borough enter into an agreement with the Sussex County Sheriff’s 9-1-1 Communications Services. < Back Two more towns sign on for dispatching services Wantage and Sussex Borough enter into an agreement with the Sussex County Sheriff’s 9-1-1 Communications Services. Previous Next Sheriff Michael Strada is pleased to announce that Wantage Township and Sussex Borough have entered into a five-year shared service agreement for dispatching services at the Sussex County Sheriff’s 9-1-1 Communications Center. After several months of technical and logistical planning and preparation, both municipalities seamlessly transitioned to the county center. Wantage and Sussex join the eleven other municipalities currently utilizing the call taking and dispatching services of the largest 9-1-1 communications center in the county. Representatives from the state Office of Emergency Telecommunications, several telecommunications providers and municipal and county officials were present during the cutover to insure a successful implementation. The county 9-1-1 center service area encompasses 65% of the county’s geographical area. The communications center will be responsible for handling all 9-1-1 calls for their municipalities. Sheriff Strada stated, “I am glad to see other municipalities join our communications center as we offer the latest technology and dispatching services. The emergency service organizations that are currently utilizing our center realize the benefits of a central communications center.” Pictured left to right: Chief Telecommunicator Dave Korver, Director of Communications Mark Rozek, Borough of Sussex OEM Coordinator Floyd Southard, Township of Wantage Mayor Ron Bassani, Township of Wantage Administrator Michael Restel, Township of Wantage OEM/911 Coordinator Joe Konopinski, New Jersey Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services Doug Weidanz and Sussex County Sheriff Michael F. Strada

Arrested: Brian L. Dippel, age 20, of Sparta Township, NJ. < Back Man arrested at courthouse for attempting to fake drug test Arrested: Brian L. Dippel, age 20, of Sparta Township, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, Brian Dipple was arrested by Sheriff’s Officer Ed Galinski after allegedly attempting to defraud the administration of a court ordered drug test. Sheriff’s Officer Galinski immediately took Dippel into custody. Sheriff’s Sergeant Krista Galante and Sheriff’s Officer Lou Cataldo assisted in the arrest. Dippel was charged with attempting to defraud the administration of a drug test and lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility on $5,000 bail.

Attorney ID Cards The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office has an attorney identification card program designed to readily identify practicing attorneys within the Sussex County Judicial Center. The ID card, available to attorneys with offices in Sussex County, costs $50.00 and the card is renewable every five years. To obtain an ID card in Sussex County, please visit the Bureau of Law Enforcement located within the sheriff’s office at 39 High Street in Newton. You will be asked to complete our Attorney ID Card Information form (including providing your New Jersey Bar number). For your convenience, we have also made the form available online so it may be completed in advance. Download the Attorney ID Card form To view and complete the form, you will need the freely available Adobe Reader software installed on your computer, version 7 or higher. This fillable form may be filled out on your computer and saved to your hard drive and/or printed out. Payment of the $50.00 fee may be made by check payable to the “Sussex County Sheriff’s Office.” Have questions? For more information, please call 973.579.0850.

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.

This seminar has been cancelled due to lower than usual attendance this year. < Back TRIAD law enforcement seminar to be held in October This seminar has been cancelled due to lower than usual attendance this year. Previous Next Cancelled due to lower than usual attendance this year. On Friday, October 14, 2016 , 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 12:00 noon with a free continental breakfast included. The seminar will include classes on senior fraud education and protection, a demonstration by the Sussex County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit as well as other new, informative classes. Seniors will have the opportunity to meet with local 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 Sheriff’s Office. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Hilary Manser at 973.579.0850, ext. 2114.

Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nutmeg has received a donation of body armor. < Back Sheriff’s K9 receives donated vest Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nutmeg has received a donation of body armor. Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nutmeg has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Thi s specific vest was sponsored by William Haas of Bloomingburg, NY and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Petey and Lucky.” Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. over 3,800 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars. The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate. The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 - $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination via its website or mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

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

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.

Arrested: Katie D. Herburger and Jessica M. Lemasson, both age 19, both of Newton, NJ. < Back Newton teenagers arrested for DWI Arrested: Katie D. Herburger and Jessica M. Lemasson, both age 19, both of Newton, NJ. Previous Next At approximately 7:15 a.m. on the morning of Monday, February 4, 2013, while traveling in Hampton Township, Sheriff’s Detective William Lunger observed a motor vehicle operated by Katie Herburger fail to maintain her lane of traffic and fail to stop at a traffic light. Detective Lunger initiated a motor vehicle stop on the car and walked up to speak with the driver. While Detective Lunger was speaking with Herburger, Captain George Kately arrived on scene to assist. After speaking with Herburger and observing her attempt to perform several field sobriety tests, Captain Kately found her to be intoxicated. Further investigation revealed Lemasson to be intoxicated as well. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office where they were processed and released to the care of a responsible party. Katie Herburger was issued summonses for underage consumption of alcohol, driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right and failure to observe a traffic signal. Jessica Lemasson was issued summonses for underage consumption of alcohol and allowing an intoxicated driver to operate a motor vehicle. Both were released pending future court appearances in Hampton Township Joint Municipal Court. Sheriff’s Sergeant John Gray assisted in the arrest.