Galloway Police Honor Retirees, Promote Two to Corporal and Two to Sergeant

Three retiring sergeants from the Galloway Township Police Department were honored, and two corporals and two sergeants were sworn in during ceremonies at Tuesday night’s Galloway Township Council meeting.

Additionally, a patrolman that had previously been laid off has been reinstated, as of Monday.

“The council recognized our need for additional staffing,” said Chief Patrick Moran, whose department lost 14 positions over the course of the past year. “They realized it would be financially responsible to hire him back.”

The officer is a Galloway resident, and he was still required to pass the physical and met all requirements new officers would be expected to meet. He was the last officer who had been laid off.

“He came with the chief’s recommendation,” Deputy Mayor Don Purdy said. “He knows the area and he can be on the street immediately.”

“Everyone has stepped up and done what they can,” Moran said. “Everyone’s been great. They’ve stepped up and they’ve continued to answer calls.”

Moran stressed that the department misses its retirees, and three more were added to that list Tuesday night when Sgts. Richard Komar, Jodie Jucciarone and Ed Fryling were honored.

“I just want to thank the taxpayers for having me,” said Komar, the only of the three retirees in attendance. “I have had a good time serving Galloway Township.”

Komar was an officer for 25 years and is married with two sons and a daughter. He studied jiu jitsu for 17 years, and runs his own school for teaching the martial art.

Meanwhile, Corporals Eric Hendrickson and Greg Bollinger, and Sgts. Richard Barber and Donna Higbee were sworn in to their new positions.

“All these positions are replacement positions,” Moran said. “And in these tough economic times, I’m glad we were able to bring back in to the ranks an officer that was previously laid off. … Everyone’s done a great job, and it’s absolutely essential that we get these positions back.”

This Saturday, the department will host its annual K-9 fundraiser at J.D.’s Pub from 8 p.m. to midnight. This year, they’re hoping to raise additional funds for a police dog who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.