Left to right, Ed Donnelly, NJ State FMBA President; Pat Collegian, NJ State PBA President; Candidate for Somerset County Sheriff Darrin Russo and NOBLE Northern New Jersey Chapter President Jiles Ship. Photo: Somerset County Democratic Committee.

The state’s largest police and fire unions have endorsed a retired township policeman in his bid to become the Somerset County Sheriff.

The New Jersey State PBA, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives endorsed former township Lt. Darrin Russo during an event Oct. 5 at The Palace at Somerset Park on Davidson Avenue.

Russo last week was endorsed by the Middlesex-Somerset County Police Benevolent Association.

“Combined with his three decades of service as a police officer, Darrin has the tenacity and competence to reform county law enforcement and bring a higher level of dedication and protection for all county residents,” township Police Det. Pat Colligan, president of the NJ State PBA, said in a release about the endorsements. “Darrin’s plan to partner with local police departments, build new relationships between the sheriff’s office and key community groups, and to invest in new cyber security programs make him the obvious choice for police officers and Somerset County voters.”

“I am honored by the support from the New Jersey State PBA, FMBA, NOBLE and The Middlesex-Somerset County Police Benevolent Association,” Russo said in the release. “I am ready to serve and look forward to bringing new initiatives and needed change as your next Somerset County Sheriff.”