VIDEO & PHOTOS: Ocean County remembered its fallen police officers and honored all peace officers during the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day Service on Friday at the Ocean County Police Academy in Ocean County Park.
“We take this day to celebrate the lives of Ocean County’s fallen officers,” said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “As we recall those whose names are etched on the Police Memorial, we remember that they have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their service will never be forgotten.”
The annual event is hosted by the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association with the support of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Retired Police Chief William Dikun, who is the Chief Police Instructor at the Ocean County Police Academy, served as master of ceremonies.
The Point Pleasant Borough High School Panther Concert Band, under the direction of Scott Visco performed as well as the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools Performing Arts Academy Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Mary Huhmann, vocal music instructor. Also participating were honor guards, motorcycle squads, bagpipers along with members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the New Jersey State Police and representatives of law enforcement agencies from throughout Ocean County.
The families of those Ocean County officers killed in the line of duty were recognized during the ceremony during the placement of a wreath at the Police Memorial.
The Police Memorial monument at the Police Academy now lists the names of 15 officers from Ocean County that have died. Those names that appear on the Police Memorial at Ocean County Park are: New Jersey State Trooper First Class Joseph A. Smith, Aug. 4, 1927; New Jersey State Trooper Leonard P. McCandless, June 28, 1931; New Jersey State Trooper John J. Ressler, May 1, 1932; Marshal Arnold Johnson, Point Pleasant Police Department, July 22, 1928; Patrolman Hartley Richter, Lakewood Police Department, April 8, 1946; New Jersey State Trooper Raymond P. Fiola, February 19, 1962; Chief Angelo J. Leonetti, Long Beach Township Police Department, March 6, 1962; Police Officer Robert T. Tobias, Manchester Township Police Department, May 17, 1975; Police Officer Richard J. Harper, Brick Township Police Department, May 4, 1978; Police Officer Larry A. Dunfee Jr., Stafford Township Police Department, April 27, 1981; Police Officer Robert Ventura, Jackson Township Police Department, March 18, 2001; Police Officer William Preslar , Lakewood Township Police Department, May 14, 2007; Police Officer Jason C. Marles, Ocean Gate Police Department, November 25, 2010; Police Officer Christopher A. Matlosz, Lakewood Police Department, Jan. 14, 2011; Detective Tina E. Rambo, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, August 1, 2011. [TLS]