MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon presided over a promotion ceremony for six sheriff’s officers Friday at the historic courtroom in the Morris County Courthouse. The event marked a significant enhancement to the leadership team of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement.
Chief Kelley Zienowicz noted the importance of the day for the office’s leadership and said their influence will be felt for years to come. Sheriff Gannon expressed pride and confidence in the promoted officers and challenged them to seek ways to improve operations. He also thanked family members for their support.
The officers receiving new commissions included:
Detective Captain Laura Flynn
Flynn, a Morris Knolls High School graduate, earned a criminal justice degree from the University of Delaware. After an internship with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Section, she was hired in 2000. Flynn has served in the Protective Services Division and Crime Scene Investigation Section, handling over 1,000 cases annually and assisting municipal and state agencies. She has attended nearly 50 training programs, testified as a fingerprint expert in trials, and served as a firearms instructor since 2007. Flynn became a corporal in 2014, sergeant in 2015, and was promoted to detective lieutenant in 2019. She completed the FBI LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute course.
Detective Captain Michael Turkot
In his 20th year with the sheriff’s office, Turkot previously served as detective lieutenant of the Legal Services Division, modernizing business practices. He chairs the Civil Process Committee for the Sheriff’s Association of New Jersey and is a legislative representative working with state lawmakers on relevant bills. Turkot has attended the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy.
Detective Lieutenant Craig Brooks
Brooks served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps with deployments to Iraq and Kosovo before joining the sheriff’s office in 2005. He has worked in Protective Services, Special Services Division, and Crime Scene Investigation Section. Brooks is qualified as a ballistics expert and has managed the Evidence Unit, overseeing more than 35,000 pieces of evidence. He completed the FBI LEEDA course in March 2025.
Detective Lieutenant Michael Abate
Abate, a Citadel graduate and former U.S. Army Military Police officer, joined the sheriff’s office in 2012. He has served in Protective Services, Crime Scene Investigation, and Evidence Section. Abate holds an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has extensive training in crime scene investigations, including fingerprint and shooting reconstruction expertise.
Sergeant Stephen Chiarella
Chiarella, a County College of Morris graduate with an associate degree in finance, began his law enforcement career in 2013. He has served in Court Services and the Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force as a K-9 handler and detective. He is a certified firearms instructor, field training officer, and member of the New Jersey Judiciary Security Management Response Team. Chiarella has also served on the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local 151 Executive Board in various leadership roles.
Detective Sergeant Michael Vanarelli
Vanarelli, a Montville Township High School graduate with an associate degree in management information systems from County College of Morris, joined the sheriff’s office in 2013. He has served in the Evidence Section under Criminal Investigations, as well as the Court Services Division and Protective Services Section.
