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Saudino at his swearing-in ceremony Sunday at the Bergen Academy in Hackensack
Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli had high praise for Saudino’s detectives earlier this week, after a missing person report came in from Cliffside Park from relatives who suspected a popular chef and kitchen worker had been kidnapped or killed.
In no time, the sheriff’s K9 team found the head and torso of Francisco Gonzalez Fuentes, 46, behind a Greek Orthodox church near the victim’s apartment.
They then found another bag containing the dead man’s arms and legs.
Saudino credited the team of Sgt. Mark Criscuolo and his cadaver dog, Harley, with the discoveries, in a search that took less than two hours. Criscuolo, in turn, gave kudos to Lt. Anthony Borgognoni and Sgt. John Fisher.
Bergen Sheriff Michael Saudino
Two men accused in the crime are being held at the Bergen County Jail — which Saudino administers.
Also this week, Sheriff’s Officer Yung Kim was on his way to work when he noticed smoke and flames rising from the Super 8 Motel on Rt. 46 in South Hackensack.
“When I pulled in there were no responders on the scene yet,” Kim said.
After summoning emergency services, he dashed into the building.
Little Ferry Patrolman John Clark arrived moments later.
“When Patrolman Clark got there we just started kicking in doors and evacuating the building,” Kim said.
Firefighters were there within minutes and doused the blaze.
“One of our primary responsibilities is to assist local law enforcement when requested – and that is exactly what this department did. All of the public safety professionals involved in these incidents should be congratulated,” Saudino said.
“This department is full of exceptional men and women,” said Saudino, the former Emerson police chief who won election as sheriff in November, ousting incumbent Leo McGuire. “This was an exceptional week for the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.”
After 38 years in law enforcement, he has developed the kind of diplomacy needed in such a critical position — a large reason why he won the backing of, among others, the Bergen County PBA and the New Jersey Laborers Union.
“We feel Michael Saudino brings credibility and integrity at a time when our institutions of government are distrusted by many New Jerseyans,” said Raymond M. Pocino, vice president and eastern regional manager of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.
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