Tag:

Quantico, VA

Fund Launched For Children Of Deceased Retired Washington Township Detective Fund Launched For Children Of Deceased Retired Washington Township Detective
Fund Launched For Children Of Deceased Retired Washington Township Detective As the time for final goodbyes nears, many of those who knew and loved retired Washington Township Police Officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Heather Castronova are trying to do what they can for her two children. Toward that end, Laura Padilla has launched a GoFundMe campaign. Castronova, 44, died unexpectedly at her home in Allendale on Feb. 8, apparently as the result of a medical condition, those who knew her said. The Hackensack-born-and-bred Heather Cumming served in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, as well as at Twenty Nine Palms, CA and Quantico, VA. She began a public service car…
'Like A Superhero': Community Prepares Goodbyes For Beloved East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief 'Like A Superhero': Community Prepares Goodbyes For Beloved East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief
'Like A Superhero': Community Prepares Goodbyes For Beloved East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief It all sadly happened so fast. East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Phil Taormina, a man who was as kind as he was courageous, died Wednesday, just months after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer. He was only 46. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at St. Pius X R.C. Church in Montville (24 Changebridge Rd,). Entombment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover (225 Ridgedale Ave). Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 Monday, Aug. 1 at Kimak Funeral Home, 425 Broad Street, Carlstadt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fund th…
Kind, Courageous East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Dies Kind, Courageous East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Dies
Kind, Courageous East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Dies It all happened so quickly. East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Phil Taormina, a man who was as kind as he was courageous, died Wednesday, just months after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer. He was only 46. Fundraising efforts in the community and among law enforcement were accelerating at a furious pace when the news came. East Rutherford PBA Local #275 called Phil a “great man, husband, father, deputy chief, and community superstar.” "He was compassionate, kind, full of laughter," the department's Tammy Verdugo-Gil added. "Phil was like a super hero, soft spoke…
'Resilient Minds On Front Lines': NJ Webcast Gives Responders Critical Support During Pandemic 'Resilient Minds On Front Lines': NJ Webcast Gives Responders Critical Support During Pandemic
'Resilient Minds On Front Lines': NJ Webcast Gives Responders Critical Support During Pandemic As if the all the other dangers that first responders face aren't enough, doing so amid the coronavirus pandemic presents additional challenges that a New Jersey webcast launched Monday aims to address. The biggest challenge for law enforcement, for one, is "figuring out what the new normal is, how to protect yourself and how do we get you [the] resources now," state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said during the opening segment of "Resilient Minds on the Front Lines." Organizers are dedicated to providing "tools, knowledge, skills and instruction to assist in a time of need -- to "help…
Lyndhurst Officer On Paid Leave During Internal Probe Lyndhurst Officer On Paid Leave During Internal Probe
Lyndhurst Officer On Paid Leave During Internal Probe A veteran Lyndhurst police officer is on paid leave during an internal review, authorities confirmed. No details of the incident involving Sgt. Rick Pizzuti will be published while the review continues. Speaking on behalf of the department, Detective Sgt. Vincent Auteri didn’t confirm the identity of the officer involved. “An officer with our department has been suspended while we investigate allegations of a violation of department policy and procedures,” Auteri said. “The investigation has been assigned to our internal affair bureau. Department policy prevents me from commenting further …
Passaic Police Captain Selected For Prestigious FBI Training Passaic Police Captain Selected For Prestigious FBI Training
Passaic Police Captain Selected For Prestigious FBI Training A Passaic police captain will soon begin a prestigious FBI training class. Capt. Gabriel Guzman is the city’s first police officer in 20 years to be accepted into the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. Less than one-half of 1% of police officers worldwide are ever invited to the specialized 10-week program, which is designed to enhance the physical and mental capabilities of ranking officers. Participation is by invitation-only and is awarded through a nomination process. Courses included law, behavioral science, forensic science, terrorism, leadership de…
FBI Academy Grad Helming Sheriff's Office Will Be Only Female Chief In Morris County FBI Academy Grad Helming Sheriff's Office Will Be Only Female Chief In Morris County
FBI Academy Grad Helming Sheriff's Office Will Be Only Female Chief In Morris County A true leader. Highly educated. Determined and diligent.  This is how Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon described Kelley Zienowicz, who will be sworn in as chief sheriff's officer next week. The swearing in ceremony will be Sept. 3, making Zienowicz the highest-ranking officer in the law enforcement bureau and the only female chief in Morris County. "Chief Zienowicz has a temperament that motivates and energizes others," Gannon said.  "She is highly-educated, a graduate of the elite FBI National Academy, and a true leader with an impeccable work ethic." Zienowicz grew up in…
Proud Tradition Continues: Hillsdale Police Captain Attends Prestigious FBI Academy Proud Tradition Continues: Hillsdale Police Captain Attends Prestigious FBI Academy
Proud Tradition Continues: Hillsdale Police Captain Attends Prestigious FBI Academy Hillsdale Police Capt. Sean Smith felt the wind of tradition at his back as he completed the 275th FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, VA earlier this month. The last officer from his department to attend the prestigious program was Lt. Vincent McCarthy back in 1975. Graduating from the FBI Academy program that same year was Smith’s father, Thomas, who’d been an officer in the 46-year-old captain’s Tenafly hometown. “It was pretty special that I was a second-generation legacy student,” Smith said. “That’s pretty rare.” The younger Smith joined the Hillsdale department in January 199…
Mahwah Mayor's Nominee For Police Chief Boasts Experience, Skill, Reputation Mahwah Mayor's Nominee For Police Chief Boasts Experience, Skill, Reputation
Mahwah Mayor's Nominee For Police Chief Boasts Experience, Skill, Reputation His law enforcement credentials and reputation extend beyond Mahwah's borders, and on Friday new Police Chief Stephen Jaffe will take office, pending approval by the township council, after being appointed by Mayor John Roth to replace retiring Chief James N. Batelli. The council scheduled a special meeting this Wednesday to publicly vote on the mayor’s appointment following a closed session with Jaffe. Experience and skill favored the 17-year captain, who has served as the department’s executive officer – and No. 2 in command under Batelli – Roth said. “He brings the most extensive comman…
Lyndhurst Police Veteran Completes Prestigious DEA Program Lyndhurst Police Veteran Completes Prestigious DEA Program
Lyndhurst Police Veteran Completes Prestigious DEA Program It’s not every local police officer who’s selected for special DEA training in Quantico, VA, but Lyndhurst has one: Sgt. Richard Pizzuti. Pizzuti recently completed a two-week leadership program after being chosen by the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Domestic Field Division. During the Drug Unit Commanders Academy (DUCA), he studied: personality assessment tools; situational leadership skill building/refreshment; various situational management issues. He also participated with his peers in an interactive Distinguished Leadership Panel Interview. Participants we…