Officers receive promotions
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

DAVE BENJAMIN Jackson uniformed police personnel (l-r) Capt. David Newman and officers John Decker and John McBride look on as Public Safety Director Matthew Kunz announces the promotion of Decker and McBride to sergeant.

JACKSON - Two of Jackson's finest have been promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Jackson Police Department officers John Decker and John McBride were sworn in as sergeants during a ceremony held at the Township Council's Oct. 24 meeting.

"The two candidates we are putting forward are well deserving of the position and have earned it," Mayor Mark Seda said. "Therefore, the council and I are approving this promotion."

Director of Public Safety Matthew Kunz spoke about both officers.

"Prior to coming to us John Decker had been a coach with several high school sports teams," Kunz said. "He has been a member of the Jackson Memorial High School Sports Hall of Fame."

Decker served with the Seaside Park Police Department before joining the Jackson police on Sept. 8, 1999. Since that time he has served in the patrol division.

He has also served as a school resource officer and as a field training officer.

"He has received the department's good conduct ribbon, the educational achievement ribbon and the achievement ribbon for serving as a volunteer in New York City post-9/11," Kunz said.

Kunz said McBride, who joined the Jackson police in July 1999, comes from a family that includes brothers who serve in the New York Police Department and a sister who is a police officer in Howell.

McBride is a U.S. Navy veteran and the recipient of the Armed Forces Expe-ditionary Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deploy-ment and the National Defense Medal.

He previously worked in the Mon-mouth County Sheriff's Depart-ment.

"Since coming to the Jackson Police Department on July 26, 1999, John has served in the patrol division and has obtained the following department awards: the good conduct ribbon, the excellent police duty ribbon for service in disarming a subject, the veterans of foreign wars for service in the Persian Gulf and the achievement ribbon for service to New York City post-9/11," Kunz said.

He congratulated both officers on their promotion.

Seda added, "This mayor and council will support our police department and make every effort to make promotions when necessary. We will support its efforts whichever way we can."

Jackson police Capt. David Newman said there are 86 police officers in Jackson. That figure includes three captains, four lieutenants, 12 sergeants and eight detectives.