LAKEWOOD – A total of 47 recruits of the Ocean County Police Academy’s Basic Police Class #114 celebrated the achievement of graduating the Academy.
Family, friends, and law enforcement representatives gathered for a graduation ceremony at Georgian Court University to honor those who successfully completed months of intensive training.
“This graduation marks a new beginning as you make your way into our communities and neighborhoods as peace officers,” said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, in addressing the graduates on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. “Today, as you graduate the Ocean County Police Academy you enter into a noble profession but one that is inherently dangerous and growing more difficult all the time.
At the ceremony, Haines was joined by several law enforcement representatives including Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Stafford Police Chief Thomas Dellane, who is also President of the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association, the Rev. James Occhipinti, and Ocean County Undersheriff Brian Klimakowski. Barnegat Police Chief Keith Germain, who is also President of the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association, gave the keynote address.
Recruits receiving awards during the ceremony were: Charles J. Hanson, Jackson, James J. Tracey Leadership Award; Royce J. Tucker, Point Pleasant Beach and Dylan M. Wisniewski, Seaside Heights, the PTC Merit Award Winners; Matthew W. Parke, Manalapan, High Academic Award; Hunter R. Simeon, Seaside Heights, High Overall Award and High Physical Fitness Award; Matthew C. Hamilton, Little Egg Harbor, High Marksmanship Award.
Attaining a perfect score in one or more of the three qualifying firearms rounds were Zachary Fritz, Michael Gajewski, Baylin Hall, Matthew Hamilton, James Komsa, Jonathan McLaughlin, Sean Phillips and Thomas Pietrulewicz.
“All of our recruits work hard to receive the badge of their respective police department,” Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy said. “We are very proud of each of these new officers. We know they will serve the community and the County well.”
“We deeply appreciate the work of all of our academy instructors. They bring years of experience to the classroom,” he added.
Instructors recognized with the Instructor Award during the ceremony were Charles Webster, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and Mark Fabbricatore, Bayonne Police Department.
The graduates and their respective police departments are: Ali T. Aziz, Nicholas J. Bilinski, Logan J. Carter, Orrin D. Falby, Zachary Fritz, Michael R. Gajewski, Brian P. Henry, Danek E. Namiotka, Thomas L. Pietrulewicz, Samuel G. Pradarits, Jesse M. Rund, Steven M. Schmitz, Keegan J. Shevlin, Royce J. Tucker, all Point Pleasant Beach Police Department; Hope D. Barina, Jorge I. Beltran Betancourt, Pierce J. Biczis, Charles H. Kremer, Tyler J. Lehr, Alex X. Rosario, Hunter R. Simeon, Saul Vargas, Dylan M. Wisniewski, all Seaside Heights Police Department.
Michael C. Bruno, Ryan M. Dean, Baylin J. Hall, James M. Komsa, Joseph L. Martinez, Johnathan K. McLaughlin, Andrew T. Mortensen, James T. Orozco, Katerina A. Tsarnas, all Seaside Park Police Department. Ryan R. Cheslock and Jared R. Prendeville, Mantoloking Police Department. Anthony J. D’Amico, Austin H. Goins, Victoria R. Spahr, Timothy J. Suppa, Cody A. Tchir, Joseph J. Vanderveen, all Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.
Nicholas M. Dellaquila, Brick Township Police Department; Jacob R. Forlenza, Stafford Township Police Department; Matthew C. Hamilton, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department; Charles J. Hanson, Jackson Township Police Department; Matthew W. Parke, Manalapan Township Police Department; Sean M. Phillips, Lavallette Police Department, and Robert M. Stowe, Point Pleasant Police Department.
