MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Morris County officials honored law enforcement officers who have served and died in the line of duty during a National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day observance held Wednesday at the county commissioners’ public meeting.
Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw presented a proclamation to Morris County Sheriff James Gannon recognizing the service and sacrifice of police officers throughout the county and nation.
National Police Week is observed from May 10 through May 16, with Peace Officers Memorial Day commemorated on May 15. The observance was established in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as a national day honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
“Since the founding of our nation 250 years ago, law enforcement officers have upheld the rule of law, protected our communities and answered the call to serve, often under dangerous circumstances,” said Director Shaw. “This week is a time to reflect on their commitment and to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
County officials also recognized the 30th anniversary of the Police Unity Tour, founded in 1997 in Florham Park by Police Officer Patrick Montuore. The annual bicycle ride from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., began with 18 participants and has since expanded into a nationwide event honoring fallen officers and supporting their families.
Sheriff Gannon reflected on the origins of the tour and the deaths of two Florham Park police officers killed in a 1975 plane crash during a marijuana interdiction operation.
“In July 1975, two Florham Park police officers, Detective Frank Dailey and Patrolman Robert Hauptman, were killed in the line of duty when their plane crashed during a marijuana interdiction operation. It was a tragedy that deeply impacted Morris County,” said Sheriff Gannon. “Twenty-two years later, Pat Montuore began the Police Unity Tour ride to Washington, D.C. I’ve had the opportunity to participate, and there is tremendous camaraderie throughout the journey. When riders arrive at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, there is a great deal of emotion, and the experience is meaningful for both survivors and fellow law enforcement officers.”
During the meeting, Shaw praised the cooperation among the Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and local police departments, noting the county continues to rank among the safest in the nation with violent crime rates below national averages.
Deputy Chief of Detectives Jan-Michael Monrad and Capt. Joseph Costello attended the ceremony on behalf of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and joined Gannon in accepting the proclamation.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll also issued remarks recognizing law enforcement officers and urging residents to support police agencies.
“Our police officers are dedicated to protecting our communities from criminals intending to commit crimes and victimize our citizens. We all need to pay them sincere respect and support their efforts, as they literally accept all risks and facedown those subjects with intent to harm. Tragically, some pay the ultimate price for their provided protection,” said Prosecutor Carroll. “On behalf of the Prosecutor’s Office and all our police departments, we want our law enforcement officers and all those currently serving to know we are here to support them in their efforts, and request that our citizens to say ‘thank you’ when interacting with our hard-working police.”
County officials noted that 30 law enforcement officers are among the 43 first responders memorialized on the 200 Club of Morris County monument located at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany-Troy Hills. The memorial honors police officers, firefighters and emergency responders who died in the line of duty.
The monument honors the following first responders:
• Patrick Guiton — 1918, Boonton Police Department
• Fred W. Plumstead — 1929, Roxbury Police Department
• Joseph Vorholz — 1929, Morristown Police Department
• Thomas E. DeShazo — 1930, Dover Police Department
• Peter W. Ignatz #530 — 1931, New Jersey State Police
• William Ridge — 1935, Morristown Fire Department
• Carl A. Schlotz — 1936, Morristown Police Department
• Matthew M. McManus #144 — 1938, New Jersey State Police
• Doyle M. Butler — 1947, Chatham Boro Fire Department
• Stanley A. Conn, Jr. #947 — 1951, New Jersey State Police
• Ronald E. Gray #1534 — 1958, New Jersey State Police
• John A. Dolan — 1966, Passaic Township Police Department
• Carl W. Schaufelberger — 1967, Morris County Prosecutors Office
• William S. Schubert — 1973, Dover Fire Department
• Robert E. Vanderhoof — 1975, Dover Fire Department
• Gordon N. Smith — 1975, Boonton Police Department
• Frank A. Dailey, Jr. — 1975, Florham Park Police Department
• Robert Hauptman — 1975, Florham Park Police Department
• Wilson McLaurin — 1975, NJ Department of Human Services
• Neil K. Olson — 1976, Morristown Fire Department
• Raymond Gelormini — 1977, Chatham Township Police Department
• Irving W. Soules, Jr. — 1979, Butler Fire Department
• John Miller — 1979, East Hanover Police Department
• Philip J. Lamonaco #2663 — 1981, New Jersey State Police
• Joseph Ezzo — 1982, Riverdale Fire Department
• Lester A. Pagano #1177 — 1983, New Jersey State Police
• Everett E. Hatcher — 1989, Drug Enforcement Administration
• James McKelvey — 1990, Stanhope/Netcong Rescue Squad
• Vincent G. McGuinness — 1992, Morris Plains Fire Department
• Lewis R. Sheats — 1993, Chatham Borough Fire Department
• John Deventer — 1995, Hanover Police Department
• Willard R. Hopler — 1996, Rockaway Borough Fire Department
• Scott M. Gonzales #5059 — 1997, New Jersey State Police
• Richard Weinheimer — 1998, Pequannock Police Department
• Enrico Venditte — 2001, Paterson Police Department
• Liam Callahan — 2001, Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department
• Gregg J. Froehner — 2001, Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department
• Anthony P. Infante, Jr. — 2001, Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department
• George Danielson, Jr. — 2001, Mine Hill Fire Department
• Arthur J. Ohlsen, III — 2003, Dover Police Department
• Eugene M. Erdmann — 2005, Kinnelon Police Department
• Thomas Shields — 2011, Flanders Fire Department
• Joseph Wargo — 2011, Mt. Arlington Police Department
