Morris County honors retiring warden Christopher Klein after more than 25 years of service
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County Warden Christopher E. Klein was honored on his final day at the Morris County Correctional Facility, marking the end of a career spanning more than 25 years in county service.
Klein’s retirement was described as an “end of an era” by Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon as officers from the Morris County Correctional Facility, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and county administration gathered to recognize his service.
“It’s been a great career. I’m a little bit torn about leaving, but I think it’s the right time for me to go. I want to thank the county administrator’s office, the sheriff, the undersheriffs and the chiefs for the support they’ve given me over the years. I couldn’t have done it without them … And I want to thank the staff. Without the staff here, my job couldn’t get done,” Klein said.
During the ceremony, Klein stood outside the facility’s main conference room as a newly installed plaque was unveiled, officially dedicating the space as the Warden Christopher E. Klein Conference Room as of Dec. 31, 2025. The bronze plaque reads, in part: “In honor and recognition of your outstanding commitment and distinguished service to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Citizens of Morris County.”
Morris County Administrator Deena Leary presented Klein with a Resolution of Honor from the Board of County Commissioners, citing his dedication, hands-on leadership style and deep institutional knowledge of correctional operations.
“Christopher Klein, who dedicated more than 25 years to our Bureau of Corrections, coming up from the ranks, is the last officer who had worked in our old jail on Court Street, in Morristown. His leaving marks the end of an era,” Gannon said.
“He demonstrated exceptional leadership during his 12 years here as warden. He knows the administrative side, he brought the experience of being an officer in the facility and the had a special business acumen. I just cannot say enough about him,” the sheriff added.
Klein officially retires at the end of the day. He joined Morris County on Sept. 13, 1999, as a county correctional police officer and later advanced to sergeant in 2007 and lieutenant in 2012. During his career, he oversaw multiple units, including training, fire safety, medical services, policy and procedures, and quartermaster operations, and supervised accreditation efforts that resulted in the facility’s fourth accreditation from the American Correctional Association.
Promoted to warden on Sept. 8, 2013, Klein was responsible for overseeing more than 180 sworn and non-sworn employees across administrative, support services and security divisions. Under his leadership, the facility consistently received 100 percent ratings from the New Jersey Department of Corrections and the American Correctional Association.
Anthony P. Lotz, a correctional officer with more than 23 years of experience, will assume the role of warden on Jan. 1, 2026. Gannon said that while Klein’s departure will be felt, the facility is being left “in very capable hands” with Lotz stepping into the leadership role.
