Backup facility provides for completely redundant emergency communications capabilities. < Back Public safety telecommunicators exercise the “hot site” Backup facility provides for completely redundant emergency communications capabilities. Previous Next The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office successfully exercised its communications backup facility recently. Rather than answering 911 calls and dispatching emergency service resources from its Frankford Township facility, communications personnel ran the operations from its hot site located at the sheriff’s office in Newton. This backup facility, often referred to as a “hot site,” serves as a redundant communications site to the Frankford location. Real time synchronization between the two sites is used to completely mirror the environment of the main communications site in Frankford using wide area network links and specialized software. In the event of a disruption to the main Frankford site, personnel can relocate to this hot site and resume operations with minimal downtime. In lessons learned from 9/11, this hot site provides for complete redundant emergency communications capabilities from a geographically different location. Sheriff Strada said “It’s great to see that we are prepared should we ever have a disruption.”

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.

< Back SCSO K9 TEAM GRADUATES NJSP ACADEMY Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the graduation of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office’s newest K-9 Team from the New Jersey State Police Canine Academy 38th Narcotics Scent Class. Sheriff’s Detective Michael Scott and K-9 “Ace” recently successfully completed an intensive 14-week training course in narcotics detection. Detective Scott is a 7 year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 Ace is a 1 year old German Shepherd Dog. During their training, over approximately 450 hours, the K-9 team executed over 300 narcotics searches in various conditions and at numerous locations. Detective Scott and K-9 Ace are scheduled to begin the New Jersey State Police Canine Academy Patrol Class for tracking in September. The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit currently consists of three K-9 teams. Two narcotics detection teams and one tracking/trailing team. Sheriff Strada congratulates Detective Scott and Ace and wishes them great success in their careers. Said Sheriff Strada, “We are pleased to present the services of this great team and our other K-9 teams to the law enforcement agencies and citizens of Sussex County. I know they will prove to be a tremendous asset.”

Courthouse Security Overview The Sussex County Sheriff’s Office oversees the general security of the courthouse complex to ensure the orderly, peaceful and safe conduct of court business. Attorney ID Cards Find out about our attorney identification card program, designed to expedite attorney access into the Sussex County Judicial Center. Directions/Map Directions and map to the Sussex County Judicial Center, located at 43-47 High Street in Newton.

Arrested: Jenna A. Agens, age 31, of Newton, NJ. < Back Traffic stop leads to warrant arrest Arrested: Jenna A. Agens, age 31, of Newton, NJ. Previous Next On Wednesday, December 19, 2012, while assigned to traffic enforcement within Hampton Township, Sheriff’s Officer Scott Haggerty initiated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle with an inoperative brake light. While speaking with the operator of that vehicle, Officer Haggerty observed that one of the passengers was a woman he recognized as Jenna Agens. Believing her to be the subject of an outstanding Sussex County Superior Court warrant, Officer Haggerty asked her to confirm her identity. Agens then provided Haggerty with a fictitious name. Further investigation revealed the existence of both a Sussex County Superior Court warrant and several other warrants for her arrest issued by municipalities in Morris County. Officer Haggerty placed Agens under arrest and transported her to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Agens was issued a summons for providing false information to a law enforcement officer and given a future court date to appear in Green Township Municipal Court. She is currently lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. < Back Sheriff's Office announces new promotion Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Previous Next Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Detective Corporal Louis Cataldo has been promoted to Sergeant. A United States Army and New Jersey Army National Guard veteran, as well as an 18-year veteran of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office; Sergeant Cataldo began his law enforcement career in 2006 when he was hired as a Sheriff’s Officer in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Law Enforcement. A certified Field Training Officer (FTO), throughout his career, Sergeant Cataldo has been assigned to several different units including, The Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit, the Sheriff’s Detective Bureau, the New Jersey Judiciary Security Management Response Team (JSMART), and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). He has deployed with the military multiple times. Twice to Iraq as part of Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom, once to Louisiana in support of logistic rescue operations immediately following Hurricane Katrina, and to Washington D.C. in support of Operation Resurrection. A 2006 graduate of the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute’s Basic Police Class, Sergeant Cataldo has also attended both Ocean County Community College and the County College of Morris. Among the numerous awards Sergeant Cataldo has received throughout his career are the Hurricane Irene Ribbon, the Armed Forces Ribbon, the Grand Cordon Ribbon, and two letters of commendations for his response to medical emergencies. Following his promotion, he will be assigned to supervise the Prisoner Transportation Unit. Sheriff Strada stated “I congratulate him on his promotion. I have the utmost confidence in his leadership abilities and look forward to working with him in his new role.” pictured left to right Sergeant Cataldo, Louis (Louie) Cataldo (Sgt. Cataldo’s son) and Sheriff Michael Strada

Arrested: Natasha McCoy, age 31, of Hamburg, NJ. < Back Woman arrested in Newton on Paterson warrants Arrested: Natasha McCoy, age 31, of Hamburg, NJ. Previous Next On Friday, September 20, 2013, while assigned to the probation department at the Sussex County Superior Court courthouse in Newton, Sheriff’s Officer Joseph Cahill encountered Natasha McCoy. Officer Cahill believed McCoy to be the subject of an outstanding warrant and subsequently detained her. Further investigation revealed McCoy to be the subject of multiple warrants from Paterson Municipal Court. Officer Cahill immediately arrested McCoy and transported her to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Natasha McCoy was lodged in the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Arrested: David M. Ireland, age 32, of Augusta, NJ. < Back Driver using cell phone leads to DWI arrest Arrested: David M. Ireland, age 32, of Augusta, NJ. Previous Next On Thursday, September 5, 2013, while assigned to patrol duties within the borough of Branchville, Sheriff’s Officer John Swords observed David Ireland talking on a cell phone while driving through Branchville. Officer Swords initiated a motor vehicle stop and interviewed Mr. Ireland. Upon further investigation, Officer Swords determined Ireland was intoxicated. Officer Swords arrested Ireland and transported him to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office for processing. Ireland was charged with the following offenses: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device and possession of an open container/alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle. He was given a future court date to appear in Branchville Borough Municipal Court and released to the care of a responsible party. Sheriff’s Officer Samantha Schilling and Sergeant John Gray assisted in the arrest.

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.

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.”

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 »

Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. < Back Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Previous Next Press Release – For Immediate Release Contact: Sheriff Michael F. Strada April 2, 2026 973-579-0850 Sheriff Michael F. Strada is pleased to announce the following promotion within the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Kenneth Farber has been promoted to Sergeant. A lifelong Sussex County resident and a 2003 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Sergeant Farber began his law enforcement career in 2009 when he was hired as a Corrections Officer in the Sussex County Jail. During his time as a Corrections Officer, he served as a Field Training Officer (FTO), was assigned to the Sheriff’s Operations Group (SOG), and served as a Security Threat Group (Gang) Classification Coordinator. In 2018, he transferred to the SCSO Bureau of Law Enforcement. In 2023, he became a Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) Coordinator, a role he has remained in until now. A certified Firearms Instructor, Sergeant Farber additionally serves as Rangemaster and Departmental Armorer. A graduate of the Passaic County Police Academy’s Basic Corrections and Basic Police Classes, Sergeant Farber also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. He is the recipient of the Sheriff’s Education Award, the Grand Cordon Award, The Honorable Service Award, the Sheriff’s Good Conduct Award, and the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolence Association Unit Valor Award. At a promotional ceremony this morning, Sheriff Strada stated “Between his time at the Correctional Facility and now in the Bureau of Law Enforcement, Sergeant Farber has dedicated himself to training others and improving their performance. Qualities that I have no doubt will make him an excellent supervisor.” Following his promotion, Sergeant Farber will be assigned to supervise officers in the Courthouse Security and Prisoner Transportation Unit. Sheriff’s Officer Kenneth Farber, Sheriff Strada