EAST BRUNSWICK–With Chief of Police James Conroy and five high-ranking officers retiring, the Township Council approved resolutions honoring their combined 150 years of service.
Conroy, Capt. Joseph Alves, Capt. Kevin Zebro, Lt. Michael Knoll, Lt. Martin O’Neill and Lt. Michael Plaskon each began his career with the East Brunswick Police Department on Aug. 1, 1994, and each served for 25 years, according to the council agenda.
Public Information Officer Lt. Sean Goggins said the last day for the retiring officers will be July 31.
Mayor Brad Cohen presented a resolution honoring Conroy on July 22 during the council meeting. Cohen said Conroy began his 25-year career with East Brunswick as a patrolman in the Department of Public Safety. Conroy served as a patrolman, sergeant and lieutenant in the Patrol Division, as a lieutenant in the Special Operations Division, and as a detective and captain in the Investigative Division, until his promotion to chief of police.
“Conroy has demonstrated throughout his career strong devotion to the qualities of professional policing, dedication to the community he served with, in addition to providing quality supervision to those officers who served under his command, and by his loyalty to the East Brunswick Police Department he has provided a fine example for junior officers to emulate,” Cohen said.
Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin’s Chief of Staff Robert Zuckerman also presented Conroy with a certificate of appreciation and five additional certificates of appreciation for the five other officers who are retiring.
“The word that you, his officers, most often used to describe [Conroy] was in fact “trustworthy.” People trusted the chief to make the right choices and shoot straight with them. His dedication to principle and his abounding vitality could inspire people to lofty visions. … So we bid you farewell tonight, chief. You know in your heart and in your soul and in your mind that you served East Brunswick well. Cherish now and celebrate forevermore,” Councilman Kevin McEvoy said.
Council President Sterley Stanley read a resolution honoring Alves. Township Clerk Nennete Perry read a resolution honoring Zebro. Councilwoman Sharon Sullivan read a resolution honoring Knoll. McEvoy read a resolution honoring O’Neill. Councilman Michael Spadafino read a resolution honoring Plaskon.
A swearing-in ceremony, when several officers were hired or promoted, was scheduled at 6 p.m. on July 31 at Hammarskjold Middle School’s JoAnn Magistro Performing Arts Center, which is located at 200 Rues Lane, East Brunswick.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
