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Holding the Bible were his Wicker's daughters, Gabriella and Gianna.
“I am truly honored and I assure you that you will get my absolute best,” Wicker told Mayor Diane Carmelo Didio, who administered the oath, and the Borough Council.
The new chief also thanked Oradell residents, his colleagues, family and friends -- including his brother, Englewood Cliffs Detective Lt. Keith Wicker, who pinned the chiefs badge on him.
Then he directly addressed the officers who lined the room.
“This past year as captain, I had the opportunity to assess our department,” Wicker said.
“It was gratifying to observe the hard work, the loyalty and dedication we have in our department,” he added. “I’m proud to be your chief and I look forward to making our department the best we can.”
Wicker joined the department fresh out of the police academy in November 1995, said Councilman Andrew Rudman, the police commissioner.
Wicker was assigned to the detective bureau in 2002 as juvenile officer, rose to the rank of detective in 2004 and detective sergeant in 2007.
While patrolling on Christmas Eve in 1998, Rudman said, Wicker saved the life of a young man who he found overcome by carbon monoxide in a parked vehicle.
In 2004, then-Detective Wicker took part in a three-month investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of two people in the brutal robbery and beating of a senior citizen in her own driveway.
“He has since conducted numerous criminal investigations resulting in arrests and convictions,” Rudman said.
Tuesday night's atttendees included 2017 Bergen County Chiefs Association President Edward Kasper of Oakland, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal and Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino.
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