Historic Night For FTPD At Township Council Meeting

Township history was made Jan. 24 with the swearing-in of Police Officer Matthew Russo. Russo’s father, Darrin, center, recently retired after serving more than 30 years on the FTPD. Holding the Bible is Russo’s mother, Denise.

History was made at the Jan. 24 Township Council meeting during the swearing-in of new police officers.

One of the new officers is Matthew Russo, son of recently retired Lt. Darrin Russo. This marks the first time in Franklin that a 30-year veteran retired and his son was hired within a year, said Chief of Police Lawrence Roberts.

Russo was one of eight new and promoted township police officers who were sworn in at the meeting.

Three of the officers were new hires, three of the officers were new sergeants and three were newly minted lieutenants.

The officers were sworn in by Township Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy, with Roberts giving comments on each.

Roberts thanked the council for making the hirings and promotions possible.

“I know it’s a tough budget,” he said.

“I’m very proud of the department,” Roberts said. “We take pride in the diversity in the promotions we make and the officers we hire.”

Mayor Phil Kramer praised Roberts for his work in the department as chief.

“This is the finest police force in the state of New Jersey, and he’s trying hard to keep it that way,” Kramer said.

Those sworn in were:

• Lt. Phillip Rizzo, a 23-year veteran of the force. Rizzo will be the day shift commander and will continue to serve as the department’s Public Information Officer.
• Lt. Brian Regain, a 17-year veteran of the department, He will command the midnight shift, having previously worked in the juvenile bureau.
• Sgt. Daniel McNamara, a 24-year FTPD veteran. McNamara, who Roberts praised for taking the promotion exam even though he’s eligible to retire, will be the afternoon supervisor.
• Sgt. Lloyd Fredericks, a 12-year FTPD veteran who has previously served with the East Orange Police Department. Fredericks will be assigned to the midnight shift. He previously worked with students at Franklin Middle School.
• Sgt. Damian Rostek, a 12-year FTPD veteran who previously worked for the Maplewood Police Department. Rostek will be assigned to the afternoon shift. His previous assignment was as a detective in the juvenile bureau.
• Police Officer Matthew Ellery, a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy. He will be assigned to the day shift.
• Police Officer Andre Tirado, a graduate of the Ocean County Police Academy. He will be assigned to the afternoon shift.
• Police Officer Matthew Russo, a graduate of the Cape May County Police Academy. He will be assigned to the afternoon shift.

2017 FTPD Swearing-In 1-24-17

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