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Vernon police celebrate 40th anniversary

| 07 Oct 2015 | 12:39
    "Vernon's Finest" circa 1975 are (standing, from left) Ken Itjen, Bob Helmrich, Ken Johnson, Chief Angelo Esposito, Jack King, Wally Wootton, and John Volosin. Kneeling in the front row are John "Kaz" Kazmierczak, Steve O'Conor, George Dolak, and Roy Wherry.
    "Vernon's Finest" circa 1975 are (standing, from left) Ken Itjen, Bob Helmrich, Ken Johnson, Chief Angelo Esposito, Jack King, Wally Wootton, and John Volosin. Kneeling in the front row are John "Kaz" Kazmierczak, Steve O'Conor, George Dolak, and Roy Wherry.
    Event organizers Carol Schroeder and Pat Wootton stand by a large collection of old photos and memorabilia collected and arranged by retired Captain Stephen Moran. Schroeder was the department's first secretary.
    Event organizers Carol Schroeder and Pat Wootton stand by a large collection of old photos and memorabilia collected and arranged by retired Captain Stephen Moran. Schroeder was the department's first secretary.
    Carol Schroeder, the department's first secretary reminisces with retired officer Gary Gardner.
    Carol Schroeder, the department's first secretary reminisces with retired officer Gary Gardner.
    Forty years later, the six members of the original force who attended the reunion are (from left) John "Kaz" Kazmierczak, Steve O'Conor, Ken Itjen, former chief Ken Johnson, former chief Roy Wherry, and George Dolak.
    Forty years later, the six members of the original force who attended the reunion are (from left) John "Kaz" Kazmierczak, Steve O'Conor, Ken Itjen, former chief Ken Johnson, former chief Roy Wherry, and George Dolak.
    At left, former Police Chief Ken Johnson went from table to table to greet old friends and coworkers.
    At left, former Police Chief Ken Johnson went from table to table to greet old friends and coworkers.
    Guests at the Vernon Township Police Dept. are shown at the event.
    Guests at the Vernon Township Police Dept. are shown at the event.

VERNON — Six of the Vernon Township Police Department’s original 11 members got together with family and friends to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the department’s creation on Saturday.

Also on hand was the department’s first secretary Carol Schroeder.

Along with family and friends, as well as current and former officers, the luncheon was held at Vernon’s Lamp Post Inn on County Route 565/Glenwood Road. Before the formation of the department, the New Jersey State Police Department was the only law enforcement agency responsible for the vast township.

The original officers of the Vernon Police Department are: George Dolak, Chief Angelo Esposito, Bob Helmrich, Ken Itjen, Ken Johnson, John “Kaz” Kazmierczak, Jack King, Steve O’Conor, John Volosin, Roy Wherry, and Wally Wootton.

— Photos by Chris Wyman
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