Politics & Government
Jefferson Swears In Officers, Remembers Dispatcher
Rescue squad also adds new members.
The Jefferson Township Police Department swore in two officers during last week's town council meeting.
William Carroll, assigned since July 2012 as an officer in the patrol division, was previously a juvenile corrections officer in Morris County for seven years and spent two years with the Federal Air Marshal Service.
Police Chief Kevin Craig said he was sad to announce Carroll, who has been a member of the Armed Services for 17 years with both the Marine Corps and the National Guard, will be deployed to Afghanistan in April. Craig said he hoped for Carroll’s safe return to his family and the department.
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Officer Timothy Hecht worked for the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office starting in 2007 after serving in the army. Hecht has been with the department since January, and lives in Vernon with his wife Nicole.
Craig thanked for the mayor and council for their continued support in allowing the department to hire new officers.
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“Many departments throughout the state are staying the same or downsizing while we’ve been able to replace retiring officers,” Craig said. “This is a tribute to the mayor and council’s commitment.”
The Jefferson Rescue Squad also swore in two new members – Christina Garcia and Sal Jensen – during the meeting.
Police Dispatcher Remembered
The Jefferson Township Council remembered the life of police department dispatcher and longtime resident Hank Merz during its meeting Wednesday.
Merz, husband of Councilwoman Debi Merz, died suddenly Feb. 15 at age 60.
The councilwoman, who said her husband would have turned 61 the following day, thanked the council, Mayor Russ Felter, Administrator James Leach, Clerk Lori Harvin and other administration members for their support during the preceding two weeks.
“You all know me to be pretty much in control, but I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me and my family,” Debi Merz said.
Felter said the police dispatcher memorial service brought “the most amazing group of people from all walks of life,” which Councilman Jay Dunham called a tribute to the Merz family.
“[Hank Merz’s death] is going to leave a significant void in the police department,” Craig said.
