THE HISTORY OF THE
SOUTH PLAINFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Bullock:   Thomas, Mark & Taralyn - Father & Son /Daughter
Brembt:  John & Paul - Brothers
Campagna:  Philip, Vincent & Joseph - Father & Sons
Cochrane:  Bill & Chris– Father & Son
DeLair:  Mark & David– Brothers
Grasso: Antonio & Michael - Brothers
Hoppe: Michael & Daniel - Brothers
McConville:  John & James - Brothers
Merkler:  Steven & Robert - Brothers
Papa: Joseph & Peter - Father & Son
Piro:  Peter & Michael - Father & Son
Rogers:  Richard & Robert - Brothers

RICHARD H. CONKLIN

RICHARD H. CONKLIN, Patrolman, Badge #23, was born on 11 October 1944 in Queens, N.Y. and graduated from South Plainfield (NJ) High School.  Conklin served in Cuba and Vietnam as a member of the United States Marine Corps.  During his military service, he received the National Defense Medal.  After completing his tour of duty with the military, Conklin became a member of the South Plainfield (NJ) Police Department on 13 November 1967 and served in the Patrol Division for his entire career. It was while working in the capacity of a patrol officer that he was killed on 21 January 1972.
Conklin was directed to assist the local Rescue Squad in the transportation of a mentally ill patient.  Conklin was riding in the rear patient compartment of the Rescue Squad vehicle when the patient, who had been restrained, broke free of the restraints, literally ripped Officer Conklin's firearm from his holster, and shot the officer twice.   Officer Conklin died as a result of his wounds within moments of being shot.   The circumstances of his death resulted in a nationwide review and subsequent revision of the then accepted practice of officers remaining armed while performing escort duties in the patient compartments of Rescue Squad vehicles.
During his five-year career, Conklin received numerous commendations and had earned the respect of his fellow officers, his superiors and the citizenry of the community he served.
His parents, Henry and Mary, and sisters Mary and Ethel survived him.  He was engaged to be married to Patricia Ann Gratta at the time of his death.  The Borough of South Plainfield named a local street in memory of Office Conklin.  Officer Richard H. Conklin was 27 years of age at the time of his death.

WILLIAM J. CADY

WILLIAM J. CADY, Patrolman, Badge #9, was born on 22 April 1945 and graduated from Woodbridge (NJ) High School.  Cady served in Vietnam as a member of the United States Marine Corps.   While in the military, he received a Good Conduct Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.   After completing his tour of duty with the military, Cady became a member of the South Plainfield (NJ) Police Department on 24 February 1969 and served in the Patrol Division for his entire career.  He was selected to become a member of the Tactical Response Squad, whose responsibility it was to target high crime areas.  It was while working in this capacity that he was killed on 19 April 1975.
While conducting a routine traffic stop on an entrance ramp to Interstate Highway 287, he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.  The operator of that vehicle was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the accident.
During his six-year career, Cady received numerous commendations and had earned the respect of his fellow officers, his superiors and the citizenry of the community he served.  In 1971, he received a commendation for single handily subduing two burglary suspects who had violently resisted arrest.

A disability pension through the NJ Division of Pension and Benefits is available for officers who can no longer perform the duties of a police officer due to a serious injury or illness, and their injury/illness qualifies them for a disability pension. 

A deferred pension applies to officers who are vested in the pension system, but leave the profession prior to being eligible for a full pension, but choose to leave their pension contributions in the system.  Personnel who opt for a deferred pension receive a reduced pension starting at the age of 55.

The following members of the SPPD either earned a disability pension or opted for a deferred pension:

It is not unusual for police officers in a particular law enforcement agency to resign from that agency for one reason or another prior to being eligible for a any type of pension or choose not to opt for a deferred pension.  The reasons for an officer leaving a law enforcement agency vary:  some transfer to another law enforcement agency; others change career paths; while others relocate to other areas of the state or country.  Regardless of the reasons, the fact that they once served the residents of South Plainfield make them a part of the history of the SPPD. 

 The following are the men and women who fall within this category:

The following is a roster of former sworn members of the SPPD who earned a disability pension or opted for a deferred pension and have since passed away:

Gary Muccigrossi

These names are affixed to the police memorial located in Monument Park.

When the police department was originally formed in 1926, only three full-time police officers were initially appointed to the force.  As you can imagine, with just three officers, it would have been nearly impossible for the entire Borough to be patrolled and the need of the community met on a 24 hour per day, seven day per week basis. In an effort to address this problem, South Plainfield did what many communities did during this era - they turned to its' residents for assistance.   Sometime in the late 1920's or early 1930's (exact date is unknown), an organization was formed to supplement the full time police officers. The men in this organization were designated as "Special Police Officers" (commonly referred to as "Specials").  Years later, a second organization was formed to further supplement the police department with certain tasks that required less training/certification than that of a "Regular" or "Special", but involed equally civic minded citizens.  The men in this organization were called "Reserve Police Officers" (commonly referred to as "Reserves").

The "Specials" and "Reserves" were utilized extensively from the time they were established until the late 1970's. However, a variety of circumstances led to diminished usage and eventual elimination of these two organizations, including but not limited to: installation of traffic signal lights at intersections that previously required manual traffic control; new training and certification requirements established by the State which made it much more difficult for members to become certified and to maintain certification; greater liability associated with police work; and less number of volunteers available.

The "Specials" and "Reserves" were dedicated citizens who contributed greatly to the safety and security of our community during a time of need and they were clearly "public servants" who represented the SPPD well.   This passage is included in the History of the SPPD as recognition of their contributions and acknowledgement that they were indeed an integral part of the SPPD's history.

NOTE: Last names followed by an asterisk [*] denote individuals who served in dual roles as a "Special" and a "Reserve".

Special Police Officers

The "Specials" were sworn part-time police officers with full law enforcement powers, were paid on an hourly basis, carried firearms, wore the same uniform as the regular police officers (different shoulder patch and different badge) and fell under the command of the Chief of Police.  They would perform routine patrol duties during staffing shortages of "regular" police officers and supplemented the police force during busy periods of the year (i.e., holidays, parades, special events).

The names of the men who served as "Specials" are as follows: Roy Abramson*, Joseph Aniunas, Carl Bjorling*, William Bowers*, Leonard Capraro, Charles Carone, Norm Chicarelli*, Raymond Costa, Peter DeFillipo, Anthony DiCanto, Dale Flakne, James Doody, William George*, Burr Green*, Joseph Guerieri, R. Hamilton, Edward Holtz, Hy Kadish, Leo Karr, T. Lauria, F. Otto Linke, Felix Malecki, Walter Manner, Matthew Marino, Joseph Mondoro, Raymond Mount*, Joseph Nagy, Joseph Remetta, Anthony Riccardi, Walter Riley*, Charles Russo, Dennis Saverd, Michael Scabry*, Joseph Scalera, Bernard Sinkiewicz*, Donald Spisso Sr., Louis Spisso, Al Springer, William Stevens*, Louis Stieglemeyer, John Vayda and John Zazzara*.

NOTE: Anthony DiCanto later became a regular police officer with the SPPD.

Reserve Police Officers

The "Reserves" were volunteers - they did not receive any financial compensation for the time worked.  They would often ride with regular police officers but did not have police powers (i.e. powers of arrest), they wore a different uniform hat, badge and shoulder patch than that of the "Regulars" and "Specials", and fell under the command of the "Civil Defense" organization ("Civil Defense" has evolved into what is now known as the "Office of Emergency Management").  Examples of duties performed by the Reserves included, but were not limited to: directing traffic at locations that required manual staffing; working parades (starting with the first South Plainfield Labor Day Parade in 1958); and assisting the SPPD during busy periods of the year (i.e. holidays, parades, special events).  They also participated in the original fundraising efforts that led to the construction of the Police Athletic League building (P.A.L.) and supplied manual labor for the construction of the original police pistol range, which was located at the corner of Morris Avenue and Chambers Street.

Although it is unclear as to exact year, photographs of their official banner indicate the Reserves were officially organized in 1949.

The names of men who served as "Reserves" are as follows: Roy Abramson*, Harry Anderson, Peter Andreatch, William Bartok, Edward Berman, Carl Bjorling*, Bernard Bohl, Ralph Bossert Jr., William Bowers*, Michael Buldo, Anthony Bulsiewicz, Michael Campanelli, Ed Cannizzaro, Art Chicarelli, Norm Chicarelli*, Harry Coddington, Edwin Daly, Charles Delayo Jr., Marshall DelNegro, Dominic Demico, Michael Doloroso, John Dorst, Paul Evans, George Freeman, John Forsyth, Michael Gallasso, Frank Gangemi, Joseph Gangemi, William George*, Reginald Gile, Ed Gorman, Paul Gorman, Leo Grabowski, Burr Green*, Harry Jacobs, John Johnson, Lester Karr, John Lanza, Byron LaVerne, James Lynch, John Mayersky, Joseph Mingione, Francis Mittermeier, Davis Moses, Raymond Mount*, Bernard O'Keefe, Sydney Olafseki, Paul Piano, Anthony Pino, Harry Place, Frank Pulicaro, John Putnosky, Joseph Rea, Walter Riley*, Peter Rogers, J. Rosenberg, Kenneth Ross, John Ridzik, Michael Scabry*, Albert Scavuzzo, Frank Scavuzzo, Al Sickle, Bernard Sinkiewicz*, Willard Smith, Nicholas Spadero,Charles Spine, Albert Spisso, William Stevens*, Art Stone, Louis Sullo, Emil Suoninen, John Tavaglione, John Triano, Herbert Trisker, John Vayda, Clifford Weber, Stanley Wreden, Joseph Zaleznack, John Zazzara*, Joseph Zazzara and Joseph Zekas.

NOTE: Edwin Daly later became a regular police officer with the SPPD.

It is important to note that no official records could be located on file with the Borough of either organization or those who served.  All of the information contained in this segment was derived from newspaper articles, minutes of meetings, memories of those who served as or with the Specials/Reserves and identification of its members via photographs of the respective organizations

In 1984, at the request of Lieutenant Thomas Bullock, Chief Thomas Boyle authorized the formulation of a Police Honor Guard.  The purpose of the Honor Guard was to perform ceremonial functions at funerals for officers killed in the line of duty throughout the tri-state area.  Over the years, the SPPD Honor Guard has developed a reputation of an elite unit that sheds a positive light on law enforcement in general and the SPPD in particular. 

Over the years, the members of the SPPD Honor Guard have changed due to retirements or lack of time due to other commitments/change in job assignments.  However, this unit continues to represent the SPPD and the Borough with class and distinction.  Listed below are those members who have served in this unit.  The asterisk (*) donates members who have served at some point as a Commander of the Honor Guard.

For many years, police departments throughout New Jersey had pistol teams that represented their agencies and would compete with pistol teams from other law enforcement agencies.  These teams competed for recognition and also created an opportunity for police officers from the participating agencies to socialize and become acquainted with personnel from other agencies, which enhanced communication between those agencies.

Shooting competition eventually led to the formation of competitive pistol leagues where agencies would compete for league championships.  In 1950, SPPD members Chief Andrew Phillips, Sergeant Ed Tyler and Sergeant John Whalen were instrumental in not only starting the pistol team on the police department but also in helping form the Central Jersey Police Pistol League.

The South Plainfield Police Department was known for having a top quality pistol team that was in contention for the League championship year after year.  The team from South Plainfield won championships in 1953, 1958, 1961, 1981 and 1991, which is pretty impressive when you consider that they competed with much larger agencies such as Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, Edison, New Brunswick, the FBI, etc.  They also went undefeated twice (1981 & 1991), a feat no other team accomplished. Additionally, members of the Pistol Team competed in various combat and target shooting tournaments in the tri-state area, usually resulting in members of the SPPD winning trophies/medals as a result.   However, over the years, it became harder and harder for members to find the time and the facilities to compete.  While the South Plainfield PistolTeam ceased operations sometime in the mid 1990's, it is important to  give recognition to those officers who participated and brought acclaim to the PD through this activity.

Members of the SPPD who participated on the SPPD Pistol Team Are: George Albertocki, Robert Barone, Frederick Boosman, Wayne Bowden, Thomas Boyle, T.R. Bullock*, Robert Cobb, Richard Conklin, Michael Cumiskey, Gerald Cvetko, Edwin Daly, Richard Dashuta, Joseph DeCarlo, Raymond Deering, Albert Dellavalle, Anthony DiCanto, John Gear, Fred Heyeck, Kenneth LaVerne, Richard Martin, Roy Middleton, Kevin Murtagh, Michael Oschanski, Joseph Papa, James Praul, Leonard Riccardi, Angelo Sacco, Richard Schenck, Anthony Schlack, Eugene Sikanowicz, William Sloan, Walter Smialowicz, Robert Smith, Thomas Smith, Dominic Spinelli, Daniel Spisso, Joseph Spisso, John Torsky, Edward Tyler, Frank Wyckoff, Francis Yurick*, Ronald Yurinko* and George Zampella. (Names followed by an asterisk [*] denotes members who served as Pistol Team Captains.)

NOTE: Francis Yurick was the first SPPD shooter to shoot a perfect score of 300.   He also averaged 298.8 out of a possible 300 for an entire year and competed in the "National's" for police combat shooting in Indiana.  Other SPPD shooters with perfect scores of 300 were Gerald Cvetko and John Gear.

Additionally, there was another Police Pistol League that involved a combination "regulars" as well as "reserve" police personnel.  This league was known as the Green Brook Valley Pistol League.  As with the Central Jersey Police Pistol League, the team from South Plainfield was in regular contention for Green Brook Valley Pistol League Championships.

"Regular" and "Reserves" who participated in this league were: Roy Abramson, Frederick Boosman, Raymond Mount, Paul Piano, Emil Souninen, Dominic Spinelli, John Ridzik and Francis Yurick.

NOTE: Roy Abramson, Paul Piano and Francis Yurick were credited with shooting perfect scores of 300 in this league.

During the 1970’s, towns in the central New Jersey area experienced significant increases in burglaries, especially those involving large warehouses and factories, which were often packed with pallets of product.  Searching these large facilities for suspects presented challenges to the police, both in terms of having enough time and manpower to thoroughly searching the buildings as well as in officer safety.  As a result, many agencies nationwide turned to “man’s best friend” for assistance.  They implemented police K-9 programs to combat and deter crime, increase the possibility of making apprehensions, reducing the time needed to thoroughly search these buildings and to increase officer safety.

In 1978, SPPD Chief Fred Boosman established a K-9 Unit within the PD.  The officers and their K-9 partners all underwent 16 weeks of intense training at a certified K-9 training school in Philadelphia.  Upon completion of the training, the officers and their K-9 partners were assigned to routine patrol duties and would respond to any calls involving the searching of suspects.   Being that the SPPD was one of the first agencies in the central New Jersey area to implement a K-9 program, there were also many requests for mutual aid assistance.   The K-9 teams responded to calls throughout this region, were credited with numerous apprehensions and received many commendations as a result of their efforts.   However, with the increasing costs associated with the K-9 program as well as the decrease in crime trends in the mid to late 1980’s, the units were eliminated via attrition in 1990.  However, their service to our community was truly meritorious and an important part of the Department history.

The SPPD members who served as handlers and their respective K-9 partners are as follows:

One of the philosophies behind the community-policing concept is to get the officers out from behind the wheel of marked patrol units and have them out amongst the people