MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County officials, law enforcement, and community leaders gathered Thursday to honor Cpl. Erica Valvano, who retired after more than 21 years of service with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
A walkout ceremony was held at the Morris County Administration and Records Building, where Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw presented a framed resolution of honor on behalf of the board. Sheriff James Gannon, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, and State Sen. Anthony Bucco also delivered remarks and presented citations.
“Cpl. Valvano’s 21 years of service stand as an incredible testament to dedication, innovation and compassion. She has been a mentor, a leader and a bridge between law enforcement and the community,” said Deputy Director Shaw. “On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners and the people of Morris County, we thank you, Cpl. Valvano, for your service and wish you joy and peace in the next chapter of life with your family.”
Valvano began her career in 2004 in the Protective Services Division before transferring to Community Outreach and Planning in 2010. She managed programs including Project Lifesaver, Crime Stoppers, and the Sheriff’s Explorer Post. In 2016, she was promoted to corporal, continuing her mentorship of young people pursuing careers in law enforcement.
Her most notable achievement came in 2017 with the launch of Hope One, a mobile outreach vehicle delivering addiction, recovery, and mental health services. Under her leadership, the initiative earned national recognition, including the 2019 International Association of Chiefs of Police Michael Shanahan Award. Hope One has distributed 11,968 Narcan kits, with 185 reported uses to save or attempt to save lives, and has made more than 1,800 referrals to recovery services.
“Erica is the heart and soul behind Hope One, and her work has forever changed how we address addiction and mental health in Morris County and beyond. Erica has changed the world and is the embodiment of a hero. From a metrics perspective, 61,000 people have encountered the truck in the community, and 185 have been saved off the truck, a lot of from Narcan that has been deployed. And there is the more than 1,800 people who went into programs off the truck,” said Sheriff Gannon.
“Hope One is a trusted program because of Erica and all the people who helped make it possible. Her retirement today is bittersweet, but thanks to the foundation she laid and the dedication of partners like Chelsea Whiting, Justin Sudol, and others, the program will continue to thrive,” he continued.
Valvano also helped launch the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI) in 2018, securing federal funding to expand diversion programs. Her retirement coincided with Morris County’s sixth annual observance of Overdose Awareness Day.
“Many people go to work every day, but not many get to go to work and save a life. That’s what Erica has done,” said Sen. Bucco. “She took this program and turned it into something recognized internationally because of her guidance — and her hope. At this morning’s Overdose Awareness Day event, we talked about hope, families, and the importance of support for people in recovery. Erica brought that hope to them and showed them what it looks like.”
A Roxbury Township resident, Valvano lives with her husband, Anthony, and their three children.
Morris County officials said her contributions to law enforcement and the community will be remembered for years to come.
