CITIZEN AWARD MATTHEW ZANETTI On the morning of February 15, 2023, multiple police and fire units responded to 1822 Merrimac Drive for a reported structure fire at the residence which appeared to have originated on the exterior of the house but was spreading because of high winds. Witnesses indicated a neighbor, Matthew Zanetti, was passing [...]
Life Saving Award On the morning of May 27, 2023, Officers Karkovice and Herman responded to the parking lot of Wawa in Normandy Beach for a reported fall victim on the ground. Upon their arrival it was quickly determined the victim had no pulse and was not breathing. Both Officer Karkovice and Officer Herman immediately [...]
Life Saving Award On the afternoon of February 2, 2023, officers responded to a residence on McCormick Dr for a report of an unconscious juvenile. Upon arrival it was learned that the victim recently underwent a medical procedure and was perhaps having complications as a result. Officers Van Lew, Farnkopf and Pacella quickly assessed the [...]
Life Saving Award In the early morning hours of May 13, 2023, Officer Justin Barberi was conducting business checks in his patrol area, looking for signs of suspicious activity, when he came across a vehicle illegally parked and out of place in the rear of the BJ’s Wholesale parking lot. As he approached the vehicle, [...]
Lieutenant Vincent J. Pedalino #327 Lieutenant Vincent Pedalino is a lifelong resident of Toms River and a 3rd generation police officer, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and uncle. He began his law enforcement career in December of 2002 with the Seaside Park Police Department, when he entered the Ocean County Police Academy [...]
Sergeant Richard Buhowski #356 Sergeant Richard Buhowski grew up in Middletown NJ and graduated from Middletown High School North. He later attended Brookdale Community College where he received an Associates Degree, majoring in Criminal Justice. In March of 2000, Sergeant Buhowski began his law enforcement career when he attended the New York City Police Academy, [...]
Sergeant Brian O’Leary #381 Sergeant Brian O’Leary is a lifelong resident of Toms River and an eleven-year veteran of the Toms River Police Department. He is a 2004 graduate of Toms River High School East and received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a minor in Political Science from West Virginia University in 2008. [...]
Detective Jesse Robertazzi #304 Detective Jesse Robertazzi is a 22-year veteran of the Toms River Police Department. He is a 1994 graduate of Toms River High School North and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College in 1998. Detective Robertazzi began his law enforcement career with the Seaside Heights Police [...]
Please join us in welcoming new hires, Officer Hopkins, Officer Litterer, and Officer Koch, to our police force.
Lieutenant Stephen Austin #273 Dates of Service with TRPD - 06/03/1996 - 08/01/2023 Lieutenant Stephen Austin is a graduate of the John H. Stamler Police Academy’s 73rd class in Scotch Plains. He subsequently joined the Toms River Police Department in June of 1996. He received his bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Rutgers College. [...]