Galloway Man, Iraq Veteran, Sworn In as Sheriff's Officer

A Galloway Township resident who served in Iraq was officially sworn in as one of six new Atlantic County Sheriff’s Officers before the Board of Chosen Freeholders this week, the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office announced this week.

Tristan J. Bennett, 26, of Galloway, served as Infantry for the U.S. Army Reserve. Hee served in Iraq for one active duty period from September 2008 to July 2009.

"I was on roving patrols, did a lot of security," Bennett said. "Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to serve the public."

It's in his genes. Bennett's grandfather was a communications person who served in the Atlantic during World War II.

Bennett, originally from Brick Township, enlisted in the army his senior year in high school. He graduated from Brick High School in June 2004 and was off to boot camp the following month.

In 2006, he moved to Galloway Township and began working as a dealer at the Showboat in Atlantic City while attending Atlantic Cape Community College until he was called up to go to Iraq.

He earned his degree at Atlantic Cape upon his return last summer and is now enrolled at the Gloucester County Police Academy at Gloucester County College with the other five officers sworn in on Tuesday, March 13.

"We're doing a lot of book work right now," said Bennett, who was also called on as part of the National Guard to patrol the U.S. border with Mexico during George W. Bush's presidency. "We're learning the criminal code, different types of laws, how to use firearms and how to drive the vehicles. It's a lot of classroom stuff. We'll get to the hands on stuff later on."

The other officers sworn in were:

• Jeffery J. Raine, 24, of Egg Harbor City. He was previously employed by the New Jersey Air National Guard as a Staff Sergeant. He also served in Iraq for one active duty period;
• Marlon Hernandez, 32, of Egg Harbor Township. He serves in the U.S. Army as an Aviation Operation Specialist, US Army Reserve—50th IBCT E4. He spent two active duty periods in Iraq;
• Danielle Torres, 25, of Hammonton. He serves as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve—304th Civil Affairs Brigade. He was in Iraq for two active duty periods;
• Bryan Gaviria, 22, of Ventnor. He was previously employed as an SLEO-II and Dispatcher for the Somers Point Police Department; and
• Lauren Nawrocki, 25, was previously employed with the South/Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority [SEPTA].

The swearings-in were conducted by Atlantic County Sheriff Frank X. Balles.

"I want to keep moving up," Bennett said. "I want to be a sergeant, a lieutenant; the sky's the limit."