It was a cold night – temperatures were below zero – remembers Police Chief Thomas Montagna.
He was a sergeant at the time on patrol. As he was gearing up for his shift on that Friday night and trying to stay warm, he observed two of the department’s dedicated auxiliary officers loading their vehicle.
“We were busy,” Montagna recalled. “We had a pretty bad accident on Route 9. I pulled up to accident by myself and was out there directing traffic.”
The two same auxiliary guys he observed earlier pulled up asking, ‘Hey Sarge, can we help?” Montagna responded, “Absolutely.”
Those auxiliary officers were James Doran and Peter Cartwright, who spent a couple of hours in freezing cold weather helping Montagna direct traffic.
Montagna recognized Doran and Cartwright for their retirement and years of service with a plaque at a Township Council meeting on April 28.
“These individuals demonstrated extraordinary dedication to our township with decades of volunteer service as auxiliary police officers,” he said.
Cartwright began volunteering on Nov. 17, 1994.
“For more than 31 years, he has given his time and commitment to supporting the Old Bridge Police Department and serving our community with professionalism and pride,” Montagna said.
Doran began volunteering on July 1, 2000.
“For the past 26 years, he too has shown unwavering dedication to help ensure safety and well-being,” the chief said.
Auxiliary police officers serve under the direction of the Chief of Police. These officers are volunteers who do not receive a salary for their services. They must successfully complete a certified Auxiliary Police Academy training course conducted by the Middlesex County Auxiliary Police Academy. The program is open to Old Bridge residents only who are 18 years of age or older.
“I can’t believe that 25 years have passed since I first started with the auxiliary,” Doran said, wishing he had another 25.
Doran said the reason the men and women join the auxiliary is because “we want to give something back to the community.”
“I feel that all the officers who are now auxiliary do give something back to the community every time they go out.”
Doran served as an officer in the U.S. Army and was on the board of trustees at Dominican College in New York. He was president of the board of trustees at the Habitat for Humanity of Monmouth County. He took groups of volunteers – 10 to 20 people at a time – down to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“I’ve been in a position where I’ve been giving orders quite a bit and then I became an auxiliary officer and I had to learn how to take orders … it was a very humbling experience to me,” he said.
Cartwright could not make the meeting, but Doran said he was looking forward to the recognition. The two men served as partners during their tenure.
“Volunteer service of this dedication is truly remarkable,” Montagna said. “It reflects not only a deep sense of duty but also a lasting commitment to community that deserves our highest respect and gratitude.”
“Skilled volunteers are the backbone of our town,” added Mayor Debbie Walker. “That’s what our town was built on, volunteers. So I just want to thank you all so much and thank mostly James and Pete for all their years of service.”
In other police news, the department welcomes new police officer Vincent Marzullo, one of five new hires this year. He was sworn in on April 21. During the past two years as police chief, Montagna has welcomed 22 police officers.
“It wasn’t easy especially in today’s day and age,” he said thanking the township administration.
Montagna noted when he first sat down with Marzullo, he knew right away he was going to fit well in Old Bridge.
Before joining the police department, Marzullo served as a class 2 special law enforcement officer with the Seaside Heights Police Department. He attended the Ocean County Police Academy for his training. Marzullo holds an associate of science degree in business administration from the Brookdale Community College.
Marzullo thanked Montagna and the department’s leadership for “taking a chance on me.”
“It really means a lot to be able to pursue a profession like this at a very reputable department and get that opportunity,” he said.
“It really means a lot to be able to pursue a profession like this at a very reputable department and get that opportunity,” new police officer Vincent Marzullo said at a Township Council meeting on April 28.
