LACEY – Members of the Lacey Township Police Department gathered in the rear of Police Headquarters recently for a “Retirement Walkout Ceremony,” honoring the retirements of both Lacey Police Lieutenant Vincent Meehan #60, and Lacey Police Sergeant Robert Surtees #72.
Both men officially retired this year after 25 years of service to the residents of Lacey Township.
Lieutenant Meehan and Sergeant Surtees individually signed off the police radio early this month for their final time receiving a round of applause from their families, friends, and coworkers. Both Lieutenant Meehan and Sergeant Surtees received a retirement plaque for their years of service to the residents of Lacey Township.
Lieutenant Meehan, a lifelong resident of Lacey Township, began his law enforcement career with the Lacey Township Police Department in August of 1995. He attended the Ocean County Police Academy Basic Police Training Class #65, where he graduated first in his class with the highest overall average.
He served Lacey Township Police Department in the capacity of patrolman for 18 years, and after consistently scoring number one on the Police Sergeant’s promotional exam, was promoted to the rank of police sergeant in February of 2013.
Meehan was assigned as a supervisor in the Patrol Division until ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant in July of 2016. He was initially assigned to the position of patrol lieutenant and ultimately to the position of detective lieutenant prior to his retirement.
The officer is also the recipient of many awards and commendations, including, but not limited to, multiple lifesaving awards and the Grand Cordon Ribbon for his service during Superstorm Sandy. Lt. Meehan has long distinguished himself as a consciousness and hard worker and was highly respected by his superiors, peers, and subordinates.
Lacey Police Chief Michael C. DiBella remarked that Meehan’s “sharp knowledge and guidance will be sorely missed by the men and women of the Lacey Township Police Department.”
Sergeant Surtees, also a lifelong resident of Lacey, began his law enforcement career with the Lacey Township Police Department in May of 2000, after completing the 201st Municipal Police Training Class at the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt.
After serving Lacey Township Police Department in the capacity of patrolman for eight years, he was assigned to the position of Detective in 2008, where he later excelled in his assignment with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic’s Strike Force.
In February of 2017, Sgt. Surtees was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He initially served as a supervisor in the patrol division and later as the supervisor of the Detective Bureau until his retirement.
Sergeant Surtees is the recipient of many awards and commendations, including, but not limited to, the drug buster award for his self-initiated work in the field of narcotics, and the Grand Cordon Ribbon Award for his performance during Superstorm Sandy. Prior to his law enforcement career, he served 11 years with the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of staff sergeant, and is a veteran of both the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Wars.
Surtees is highly involved in the veteran community, and currently holds the position of director with the Vetwork Association and also serves as a veteran mentor for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Veteran’s Diversion Program.
The Sergeant is also an instructor for Master Resiliency and Crisis Intervention with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The chief noted that Surtees is highly regarded by his superiors, peers, and subordinates, and his leadership will be deeply missed by the rank and file of the department.
The chief said of the two officers, “all of us at the Lacey Township Police Department thank you both for your hard work and dedication to our community. While we are well aware of the voids that need to be filled in your absence, we wish the both of you and your families all of the best in your future endeavors.”
“Congratulations Lt. Meehan and Sgt. Surtees on a remarkable and honorable career. We know that you’ll be gone, but you won’t be far,” Chief DiBella said.
