< Back Bureau of Law Enforcement Welcomes New Officer Previous Next Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Hires New Officer Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Sheriff’s Officer in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement. At a ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office earlier this morning, Sheriff Strada administered the Oath of Office to Sheriff’s Officer Trevor Floyd. A lifelong resident of Sussex County and a 2014 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sheriff’s Officer Floyd attended Sussex County Community College where he earned an Associate’s of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Last month, Officer Floyd graduated from the Morris County Police Academy’s 100th Basic Police Course. Following a brief period of field training instruction, Officer Floyd will be assigned to the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transport Unit. Immediately following swearing in Officer Floyd, Sheriff Strada congratulated him, welcomed him to the agency, and wished him success in his career.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run < Back SCSO Participates in Special Olympics Torch Run This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run Previous Next Early this morning, members of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, as well as members of the greater Sussex County Law Enforcement community, joined the more than 3,000 officers that are taking to the streets of their local communities as “Guardians of the Flame” on one of 26 separate routes to help carry the "Flame of Hope” a distance of nearly 750 miles throughout the Garden State to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics New Jersey. Although our members participate each year, this year is particularly special as it marks the 40th Anniversary of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Torch Run. In 1982, the late Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer Steven Vitale was asked to take photos at a local Special Olympics competition in New Jersey. He was so moved by the determination exhibited by the athletes that he asked other police officers to volunteer at the Summer Games. In 1984, the first New Jersey Torch Run was conceived to raise funds and public awareness for the Special Olympics New Jersey program. The course ran from Liberty State Park in Jersey City to Rutgers Stadium in New Brunswick, through eight towns, covering 43 miles and raising $7,000. In each succeeding year, the dollar amount became greater and the number of volunteers increased substantially. Driven by the willingness of the New Jersey Law Enforcement officers to do more, the Law Enforcement Torch Run began to expand over the years. New fundraising events and initiatives were created and held throughout the Garden State to promote the Special Olympics movement. With over $4 million raised annually by more than 3,000 officers through local and statewide events, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey has been recognized in the world for many years as one of the top grassroots fundraising organizations for Special Olympics. Fundraising events that are conducted year-round in New Jersey include an Adopt-a-Cop campaign for the annual Torch Run, three Polar Bear Plunges, the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K, the United Airlines Plane Pull and golf outings to name a few. In addition to fundraising, Law Enforcement officers volunteer at athlete competitions and events year-round, while serving as ambassadors in local communities. This year’s Annual Torch Run will precede the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games taking place at the College of NJ campus in Ewing, NJ from June 9-11. For more information or to make a donation in support of Special Olympics New Jersey please visit their website at https://www.njtorchrun.org/ Sheriff Strada is immensely proud of all the participating officers and congratulates them on their involvement in this very worthy cause.

Seven staff members from the Bureau of Corrections were recently promoted. < Back Sheriff Strada announces Bureau of Corrections promotions Seven staff members from the Bureau of Corrections were recently promoted. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotions within the Bureau of Corrections. Michael Scuzzese Officer Michael Scuzzese has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. A six-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Sergeant Scuzzese began his law enforcement career in 2010. He currently serves on multiple specialized units for the department. A U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy, Sergeant Scuzzese also holds a bachelor’s degree in social science as well as a master’s degree in science of management. Jeremy Lock Corrections Officer Jeremy Lock has been promoted to sergeant. A 1998 High Point Regional High School graduate, Sergeant Lock is an 8-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections. In 2013 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for his actions in subduing a violent inmate after receiving serious injuries during the altercation. He was named Officer of the Year in 2014. He holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Anthony Masucci Corporal Anthony Masucci has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Masucci began his law enforcement career with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. A graduate of the NJ State Police Training Commission Basic Training Course, during his 20 year career with the sheriff’s office, Sergeant Masucci has served as a field training officer, a certified police academy instructor, a certified basic life support/AED instructor, a member of the Special Operations Group with extensive training in high risk transports, cell extractions and hostage rescue team. He is a recipient of the Sheriff’s Achievement Award and Good Conduct Award as well as an active member/rider of the Police Unity Tour. Sergeant Masucci’s most recent assignment has been with the department’s Special Services Division as the supply and logistics officer. Daniel Truppo Corrections Officer Daniel Truppo has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. A 2001 graduate of Lenape Valley Regional High School, Sergeant Truppo began his career at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office in 2003. A 13-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Sergeant Truppo is also a volunteer firefighter. In addition to being a recipient of the Sheriff’s Achievement Award, Sergeant Truppo was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for his actions during a fire in the correctional facility’s laundry room in 2005. Erich Olsen Corporal Erich Olsen has been promoted to sergeant. A 20-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, throughout his career, Sergeant Olsen has served as a field training officer, assistant team commander of the special operations group, tactical response unit team leader, training officer, firearms instructor, emergency management team member, police academy instructor, and the Bureau of Corrections armorer. A graduate of the New Jersey State Corrections Officer Training Academy (COTA), Sergeant Olsen is a three time recipient of the Sheriff’s Good Conduct Award as well as the Exceptional Duty Award. Sergeant Olsen is a past vice president of Police Benevolence Association Local 378 and, since 2007, is its current president. Brian Snyder Officer Brian Snyder has been promoted to the rank of corporal. A 15-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Corporal Snyder is the recipient of the Sheriff’s Achievement Award. Corporal Snyder has worked on the S.L.A.P. and S.W.A.P. unit for six years and has received many letters of recognition for his professionalism and dedication to the department. Jeffery Miller Officer Jeffery Miller has been promoted to the rank of corporal. A 15-year veteran of the Bureau of Corrections, Corporal Miller graduated from the Police Academy of Passaic County. Corporal Miller was a recipient of the Sheriff’s Achievement Award in 2008. Sheriff Strada thanks each of the above members for their service and congratulates them on their promotions. Pictured from left to right: Corporal Jeffery Miller, Sergeant Jeremy Lock, Sergeant Anthony Masucci, Sheriff Michael Strada, Warden Mark Farsi, Sergeant Daniel Truppo, Sergeant Michael Scuzzese, Sergeant Erich Olsen.

Students from the Marian McKeown Elementary School attended the program. < Back Fifth graders graduate from L.E.A.D. Students from the Marian McKeown Elementary School attended the program. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is proud to announce that the 5th grade students from the Marian McKeown Elementary School have graduated from the Sussex County Sheriff’s L.E.A.D. program. Under the direction of Sussex County Sheriff’s Officer Lewis LaBar and 5th grade teachers Mr. Wilpert and Miss Crane, fifty 5th grade students regularly attended weekly classes to graduate. Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) is a community-based program which was founded in 2014 in New Jersey. In Sussex County, the sheriff’s office offers the L.E.A.D. program to area youth through the local schools. The aim of L.E.A.D. is to educate the county’s youth about substance abuse. Its curriculum covers alcohol and drug resistance, violence prevention and anti-bullying. It goes beyond traditional programs, however, as the critical thinking, decision making and interpersonal skills it instills can be used in everyday life. Lessons cover issues such as consequences, pressures, ways to say no, effects of the media, stress, alternatives, conflict resolution and improving self-esteem. These lessons, designed around a problem-solving model, offer a variety of interactive, role-playing and cooperative learning activities, all of which serve to empower kids to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in violent activities. Sheriff Strada is proud to offer this program in ten schools throughout the county and states “I couldn’t be more proud of the kids that graduated today. Their willingness to learn about making good decisions can affect the rest of their lives and it’s important to their futures.”

Sheriff Michael F. Strada announces program milestone. < Back Sussex County TRIAD distributes 1,000th wristband Sheriff Michael F. Strada announces program milestone. Previous Next Sheriff Strada is pleased to announce that the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office/TRIAD organization recently distributed its 1,000th wristband. Ms. Eunice Howley of Andover Township was the recipient of the organization’s 1,000th wristband which marks a program milestone since its inception in April of 2014. Sussex County TRIAD provides black and gold silicone wristbands, free of charge to senior citizens of Sussex County, which are engraved with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office name and telephone number along with a registration number. The registration number corresponds to emergency contact information which can be provided to a first responder within Sussex County identifying the citizen in need who may be unable to communicate with the responder. Several businesses and individual donors are sponsoring the cost of the program. The successful implementation of this program was made possible, in large part, thanks to the generous donations of the following Sussex County businesses. The Senior Quality of Life Foundation Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home Smith-McCracken Funeral Home Arthur J. Gallagher & Company - George Morville The Mitchell Agency The Hampton Diner Deacon Homes If you are interested in learning more about the TRIAD program or are interested in sponsoring the wristband program, please contact Hilary Manser at the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office at 973.579.0850, ext. 2114.

Arrested: Edward D. Reilly, age 41, of Wantage Township, NJ. < Back Outstanding warrant leads to drug arrest in Sussex Borough Arrested: Edward D. Reilly, age 41, of Wantage Township, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, February 16, 2012, while assigned to fugitive apprehension duties in Wantage Township, sheriff’s detectives Mike Yanko and Matt Caine encountered Edward Reilly. Knowing him to be the subject of an outstanding Superior Court arrest warrant, detectives Yanko and Caine approached Reilly and placed him under arrest. Further investigation revealed Reilly to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine. Reilly was transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce. Edward Reilly is currently lodged in the Keogh Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail with no 10% option.

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.

Arrested: Nelson O. Guerrero, age 21, of Selinsgrove, PA. < Back Pennsylvania man arrested at MVC Arrested: Nelson O. Guerrero, age 21, of Selinsgrove, PA. Previous Next On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, while assigned to the Motor Vehicle Commission in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling encountered Nelson Guerrero attempting to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license. After observing Guerrero providing MVC staff with false information, Sheriff’s Officer Schilling ran a criminal warrants check for him. That investigation revealed him to be the subject of an out-of-state Superior Court arrest warrant from Pennsylvania. Guerrero was taken into custody and lodged comfortably in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility without bail. He is currently awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. Detective Mike Yanko assisted in the arrest.

Officers took part in the 2012 Police Unity Tour and raised funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. < Back Corrections officers ride to Washington Officers took part in the 2012 Police Unity Tour and raised funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Previous Next Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey,” recounts an ancient Greek soldier’s decade-long voyage home after the Trojan War. The word odyssey, itself, has since become synonymous with a long and arduous journey. In mid-May, members of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections hopped on their bicycles, joining approximately 600 others, and began an odyssey of their own—pedaling from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of the Police Unity Tour. Their 300-mile ride took four days and ended with a candlelight vigil at the memorial which is etched with the names of 18,983 officers killed in the line of duty. The Police Unity Tour was organized by Florham Park Police Officer Pat Montuore in May, 1997 to raise public awareness of police officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. A total of 18 police officers from throughout New Jersey rode that first year and raised approximately $18,000. In comparison, this year, over 1,600 members from throughout the United States made the trip, raising $1.65 million for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Inspired by the tour’s motto, “We ride for those who died,” many riders traveled from countries such as Australia, Israel, Great Britain, Italy, India and Canada to join the tour. Montuore, who is now chief of the Florham Park Police Department, still accompanies the tour each year. Tour participants from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections raised approximately $7,500 and included the following people: Undersheriff Homer Wanamaker, who was accompanied by his daughter, Blaire, a detective with the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office Sussex County Sheriff’s Corrections Sergeant John Bannon, who was accompanied by his brother, Jim, a retired United States Coast Guard member Sussex County Sheriff’s Corrections Officer Jason Kimble Sussex County Sheriff’s Corrections Corporal Anthony Masucci Since 1997, the Police Unity Tour has raised almost $12 million dollars for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Riders who took part in the Police Unity Tour, from left to right: Homer Wanamaker, John Bannon, Blaire Wanamaker, Anthony Masucci, Jason Kimble and Jim Bannon.

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.

Arrested: Kenneth Wilkins, age 23, of Branchville, Steven Pierce, age 36, formerly of Stillwater Township and Joseph Selobyt, age 45, of Frankford Township, NJ. < Back Narcotics distributor arrested in Frankford Township Arrested: Kenneth Wilkins, age 23, of Branchville, Steven Pierce, age 36, formerly of Stillwater Township and Joseph Selobyt, age 45, of Frankford Township, NJ. Previous Next On Tuesday, March 4, 2014, members of the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force, accompanied by New Jersey State Police troopers and an officer from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, arrested Kenneth Wilkins and Joseph Selobyt during a motor vehicle stop in Frankford Township. Selobyt, who was already the subject of an outstanding Superior Court warrant for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, was also found to be in possession of 60 bags of cocaine weighing approximately 18 grams and 5 grams of raw (uncut) heroin at the time of his arrest. Both Selobyt and Wilkins were transported to the New Jersey State Police barracks in Augusta for processing before being lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility. Kenneth Wilkins was charged with aiding in the distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. He remains incarcerated at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail with no 10% option. Joseph Selobyt was charged with six separate counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute. He remains incarcerated at the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail with no 10% option. On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, members of the Sussex County Guns, Gangs, and Narcotics Task Force along with Sussex County Sheriff’s officers conducted additional investigations at Selobyt’s residence. During the course of that investigation, officers discovered additional quantities of cocaine along with packaging materials and other assorted drug paraphernalia. While at that location, officers also discovered Steven Pierce. Further investigation revealed Pierce to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine and a hypodermic syringe. Pierce was subsequently arrested and transported to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) in an amount of less than 1/2 ounce, a fourth degree crime and possession of a hypodermic needle for an unlawful purpose, a disorderly persons offense. Pierce was issued summonses for the above offenses, given a future court date to appear in Frankford Township Municipal Court, and released on his own recognizance. Upon the discovery of the additional cocaine and packaging materials in his residence, Joseph Selobyt was also charged with maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility. He remains lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000 bail with no 10% option.

The sheriff addressed a group of over 200 Sussex County seniors at the Older Americans Day celebration. < Back Sheriff Strada attends annual senior event The sheriff addressed a group of over 200 Sussex County seniors at the Older Americans Day celebration. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada addressed a group of over 200 Sussex County seniors recently at the Older Americans Day. The annual event, sponsored by the Sussex County Division of Senior Services, was held at the Selective Insurance offices in Branchville. Sheriff Strada joined other speakers including Terry Kelemen, TRIAD coordinator for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Stephen Gruchacz, human services administrator, Lorraine Hentz, director of senior services, Sussex County Clerk Jeff Parrott, along with Sussex County freeholders Rich Vohden and Sue Zellman. Sheriff Strada addresses seniors at Older Americans Day. The sheriff spoke to the attendees about the Register Ready program. Register Ready is a statewide confidential database that enables individuals with special needs or their caregivers to identify themselves and their needs to emergency responders prior to an emergency. This assists responders in planning to serve them during a disaster or other emergency. Register Ready provides emergency management agencies advance notice of who the people are that are in need of help, what special assistance they may require, and where those people are located. In a critical situation, time is of utmost importance and the ability to pre-plan for those contingencies is invaluable. All information collected is confidential and utilized solely to assist in emergency management planning. By way of example, Sheriff Strada recalled the sheriff’s office’s efforts during the evacuation of areas of Branchville last year as Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee flooded areas of the town. The Register Ready program assisted responders in better utilizing available resources that would have otherwise been stretched during a critical time like that. In addition to highlighting the Register Ready program, Sheriff Strada reaffirmed his continued commitment to senior safety and security. He spoke with many of the attendees individually, advising them of the programs the sheriff’s office provides for Sussex County seniors. More info about Register Ready » More info about TRIAD »