On Nov. 17, State Corrections Local 105 proved its tactical skills by winning first place in New Jersey’ s“ Best of the Best” competition. The winning Local 105 hostage negotiation team originally was led by faithful member Major Edwin Rodriguez before he tragically passed away on Nov. 26, 2016, just four days before his retirement date.
Lieutenant Bertha Lowery became Local 105’ s new team leader after Rodriguez’ s passing. She insisted that members press forward with intense training with State Corrections and the FBI.
Over the past year, Local 105’ s hostage negotiation team has dedicated all of its tireless practice to Rodriguez, who was honored at the“ Best of the Best” competition with an award in his name.
Local 105’ s hostage negotiation team became the winners of the first-ever Major Rodriguez Award at the“ Best of the Best” competition. The pride in their victory showed when the State Corrections Officers was presented with the towering gold trophy by Rodriguez’ s widow, Lucy. d
The best of the best of State Corrections
www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ DECEMBER 2017 87