MANCHESTER – Surrounded by friends, officials and fellow officers of the Manchester Township Police Department, Sgt. Robert Sharry was recognized recently as he retired after 29 years of dedicated service to the department and community.
Sharry’s law enforcement career started as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with Lacey, Point Pleasant Beach, and Manchester before becoming a full-time patrolman in 1998. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2013.
Throughout his career, Sharry served in many roles, including patrol supervisor, Field Training Officer, SWAT operator, EMT, CPR instructor, motorcycle officer and instructor, traffic safety supervisor, firearms investigator, fleet manager, communications specialist.
Sharry also served as the Manchester Township’s director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for several years.
The officer played a key role in coordinating responses to wildfires, severe weather events, power outages, and other emergencies. Sharry also helped modernize the police department’s communications systems, improve emergency preparedness, and ensure our officers and first responders had the tools they needed to serve safely and effectively.
Officers of the police department noted that many of the improvements the department benefits from currently are linked to Sharry. This includes the implementation of the department’s 700 MHz public safety radio system, the modernization of the dispatch center, and the re-establishment of the Motor Unit.
Throughout his career, Sharry earned a number of awards and commendations. Such awards include the Chief’s Award, six Life Saving Awards, two Meritorious Service Awards, the Exceptional Duty Award, Grand Cordon Award, Honorable Service Award, Unit Citations, the Educational Award, and Distinguished Pistol Award.
It was also noted by fellow officers that while his accomplishments were impressive, those who worked alongside him will remember his willingness to always answer the phone, solve the problem at hand, and quietly take on whatever needed to be done.
Chief Antonio Ellis expressed congratulations to him on a well-earned retirement, “and thank you for 29 years of honorable and faithful service to Manchester Township.”
As part of his recent retirement ceremony, Sharry signed off one final time and left headquarters aboard one of the department’s new motorcycles, taking one last ride with the Motor Unit that he helped bring into formation.
