Morris County Honors National Police Week 2026

Published on May 13, 2026

Commissioners Present Proclamation to Sheriff James M. Gannon & Members of Prosecutor’s Office

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The Morris County Board of County Commissioners formally recognized National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day during its public meeting this evening, when Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw presented a proclamation to Sheriff James Gannon honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the county and the nation.

National Police Week is observed this year from May 10 through May 16, with Peace Officers Memorial Day commemorated on May 15. The observance dates to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as a national day of remembrance for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and the week in which it falls as “National Police Week.”

“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.”

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This week also marks the 30th anniversary of the Police Unity Tour, founded in 1997 in Florham Park by Police Officer Patrick Montuore. What began as an 18-member bicycle ride from New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., has grown into a nationwide movement with thousands of participants who honor fallen officers and support their families.

“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, Director Shaw acknowledged the Police Unity Tour and emphasized how effective partnerships among the Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office and local law enforcement agencies benefits our county’s public safety. Morris County continues to rank among the safest counties in the nation, with violent crime rates significantly below national averages.

Deputy Chief of Detectives Jan-Michael Monrad and Capt. Joseph Costello, who attended the meeting on behalf of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, were invited to accept the proclamation with the sheriff, demonstrating their offices' continued collaboration. Prosecutor Robert Carroll also recognized the occasion this week, encouraging residents to show appreciation for those who serve.

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“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.”

Thirty law enforcement officers are among the 43 police officers, firefighters and emergency responders memorialized on the 200 Club of Morris County monument at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany-Troy Hills.

The monument honors the following first responders:

  1. Patrick Guiton                            1918    Boonton Police Department
  2. Fred W. Plumstead                   1929    Roxbury Police Department
  3. Joseph Vorholz                          1929    Morristown Police Department
  4. Thomas E. DeShazo                   1930   Dover Police Department
  5. Peter W. Ignatz #530                 1931    New Jersey State Police
  6. William Ridge                             1935    Morristown Fire Department
  7. Carl A. Schlotz                            1936    Morristown Police Department
  8. Matthew M. McManus #144    1938   New Jersey State Police
  9. Doyle M. Butler                         1947    Chatham Boro Fire Department
  10. Stanley A. Conn, Jr. #947         1951    New Jersey State Police
  11. Ronald E. Gray #1534               1958    New Jersey State Police
  12. John A. Dolan                             1966    Passaic Township Police Department
  13. Carl W. Schaufelberger             1967    Morris County Prosecutors Office
  14. William S. Schubert                  1973    Dover Fire Department
  15. Robert E. Vanderhoof               1975    Dover Fire Department
  16. Gordon N. Smith                       1975    Boonton Police Department
  17. Frank A. Dailey, Jr.                    1975    Florham Park Police Department
  18. Robert Hauptman                     1975    Florham Park Police Department
  19. Wilson McLaurin                       1975    NJ Department of Human Services
  20. Neil K. Olson                              1976    Morristown Fire Department
  21. Raymond Gelormini                 1977    Chatham Township Police Department
  22. Irving W. Soules, Jr.                  1979    Butler Fire Department
  23. John Miller                                 1979    East Hanover Police Department
  24. Philip J. Lamonaco #2663       1981    New Jersey State Police
  25. Joseph Ezzo                                1982   Riverdale Fire Department
  26. Lester A. Pagano #1177             1983   New Jersey State Police
  27. Everett E. Hatcher                     1989   Drug Enforcement Administration
  28. James McKelvey                        1990   Stanhope/Netcong Rescue Squad
  29. Vincent G. McGuinness             1992    Morris Plains Fire Department
  30. Lewis R. Sheats                          1993    Chatham Borough Fire Department
  31. Willard R. Hopler                      1996    Rockaway Borough Fire Department
  32. John Deventer                           1995    Hanover Police Department
  33. Scott M. Gonzales #5059          1997    New Jersey State Police
  34. Richard Weinheimer                1998   Pequannock Police Department
  35. Enrico Venditte                          2001   Paterson Police Department
  36. Liam Callahan                            2001   Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department
  37. Gregg J. Froehner                     2001   Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department
  38. Anthony P. Infante, Jr.             2001   Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department
  39. George Danielson, Jr.               2001   Mine Hill Fire Department
  40. Arthur J. Ohlsen, III                  2003   Dover Police Department
  41. Eugene M. Erdmann                 2005   Kinnelon Police Department
  42. Thomas Shields                         2011    Flanders Fire Department
  43. Joseph Wargo                             2011    Mt. Arlington Police Department

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Photo 1: (l-r) MCPO Capt. Joseph Costello, MCPO Deputy Chief of Detectives Jan-Michael Monrad, Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw and Sheriff James Gannon.

Photo 2: (l-r) Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus, Commissioner Deborah Smith, MCPO Capt. Joseph Costello, MCPO Deputy Chief of Detectives Jan-Michael Monrad, Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, Sheriff James Gannon and Commissioners Douglas Cabana, Tayfun Selen and Christine Myers.

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