Walkout Ceremony Held for Outgoing Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp

Published on October 13, 2020

October 13, 2020

 

On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, members of the Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp was honored on his last day, having announced that he would be retiring from the position. A walk-out ceremony was held on Court Street outside of the Morris County Courthouse.

The event was led by Master of Ceremonies Detective Sergeant Mark Castellano, with a presentation of the colors by Detective Captain Robert McNally. Presenters included First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph K. Kimker, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn, Freeholder Director Deborah Smith, and Freeholder Tayfun Selen, 2021 Morris County Bar Association President Joseph Cadicina, Esq., and NJSCNAACP 3rd Vice President and MCNAACP President Vanessa Brown.

Prosecutor Knapp was appointed Acting Morris County Prosecutor on December 14, 2012 by then Governor Chris Christie. After serving in that capacity for approximately 18 months, Knapp and five other prosecutors were confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on June 27, 2014.

During his tenure as Prosecutor, Knapp served as President of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey (CPANJ) for the year 2018 and has served as a Commissioner of the New Jersey Police Training Commission since January 2017 as the delegate of the CPANJ. Prosecutor Knapp was also appointed by Governor Phil Murphy as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Sentencing Review and Revision Commission.

Prosecutor Knapp was named Prosecutor of the Year by the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association in 2017. The New Jersey Bias Crime Officers Association presented Prosecutor Knapp with their Visionary Leadership Award in March 2020. On September 16, 2020, the Morris County Police Chiefs Association recognized Prosecutor Knapp for his service and dedication to the Association.

Prosecutor Knapp said, Having been in this job for nearly 8 years has been an incredible experience. I have met hundreds of people I would never have known otherwise from all over the state, county and the world. People of all races, religions, ethnicities and economic levels. Essentially all need and want to be safe and secure, free of crime and fear. It has been my privilege to work with some of the finest men and women in law enforcement here in Morris County. Although I cannot speak for other jurisdictions, I know that the law enforcement professionals here in Morris County are truly dedicated to serving and protecting all of our residents regardless of who has called.

The MCPO is staffed by outstanding lawyers, detectives and support staff. They follow in a tradition of excellence in which I have been very fortunate to be a part. My successor is also very fortunate to be joining them. He and I were colleagues over 30 years ago and we have had a great dialogue about the office. I know Bob Carroll will be a tremendous Morris County Prosecutor and will follow in our tradition.

Let me thank Governor Phil Murphy and Governor Chris Christie for having the confidence in me to do this critically important job. Now it's time to concentrate on family and take some time to reflect upon the future.

First Assistant Prosecutor Zelante said, There was always a third person in the room when I met with Prosecutor Knapp, the wellbeing of Morris County. The Prosecutor always put justice and the lives of Morris County's residents first.

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon said he will really miss working with Prosecutor Knapp.

Sheriff Gannon stated, Prosecutor Knapp has always been deeply concerned and invested in the well-being of residents, the rights of victims of crime, and justly pursuing ways to maintain a high quality-of-life in Morris County. A legacy of his administration is his genuine dedication to ending heroin abuse. I'm proud to have partnered with him on many initiatives to save lives by recognizing that addiction is a disease. Prosecutor Knapp poured his heart and soul into a difficult position and will be remembered as a robust and honorable law enforcement leader.

Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, I would like to thank Prosecutor Knapp for his service over the last eight years, and wish him and his family a long, happy retirement. Prosecutor Knapp worked hard to make the citizens of Morris County safer.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at [email protected] or by phone at 973-829-8159.

 

 

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