CONTENTS
COVER STORY...PAGE
In Kevin we
Trustee
31
With his long-time service to the NJ State PBA, his
expertise regarding issues related to health, pension and
legal benefits and his role as a trusted advisor to
President Pat Colligan and Executive-Vice President
Marc Kovar, Kevin Lyons is unequivocally the best choice
to represent retired officers on the PFRS Trustee Board.
A vote for Kevin to be Retired Members Trustee is not
only a vote in the best interest of retired members but a
vote to improve the PFRS for the entire PBA
membership.
COVER PHOTO BY ED CARATTINI, JR.
PBA gets its Phil
On an historic day, the PBA joined with the NJ FMBA to announce its endorsement of Phil Murphy for
governor, and in the process furthered its relationship with New Jersey’s next open door policy-offering,
pension system-understanding, no name-calling leader extraordinaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 36
PLUS… The Bergen County Conference PAC is raring to hit the streets to help get Josh Gottheimer elected
to Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 38
All the news that’s fit for duty
PBA members came from across the state to support Hightstown Local 283 member Frank Marchione as
his unprecedented three-year, fit-for-duty battle came down to the end. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 40
Jobs Well Done
Linden Local 42 officers capture the Chelsea Bomber… NJ Transit Local 304 officer risks his own
life to save a man on train tracks…Off-duty Bellmawr Local 375 officer takes down gunman in Atlantic
City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 44
The time they spent in Phoenix
The 2016 NJ State PBA Main Convention drew more than 1,000 members to Phoenix, Arizona for a
week of integration, information and inspiration, featuring…
•
The blind side: Trooper Bobby Smith may have lost his eyesight in a tragic incident on the job,
but he showed members how to see what they need to be in one of his last motivational talks
before passing away in October.
•
‘Defining’ heroics: Retired Phoenix Officer Jason Schechterle refused to let the scars of
disfiguring, fourth-degree burns suffered in an unimaginable traffic accident define his life.
•
An ‘in-tents’ field trip: Corrections officers were invited to the Maricopa County Jail to explore
the infamous Tent City.
•
And the rest: Law enforcement solidarity, retirement planning, suicide awareness and an
inspiring thumbs up.
Eight pages of coverage begins on Page 51
Honoring esteemed retirees
Paying tribute to long-time PBA leaders Bruce Chester, Andy Haase, Mark Messinger and George Miller
who bestowed some parting words before enjoying well-deserved retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 64
Also in this issue
President’s Message.......................................Page 4
Executive Vice-President ..............................Page 7
The 4-1-1 ...........................................................Page 8
PBA Legal Corner..........................................Page 12
Legislative Report ........................................Page 15
Pension Benefits Report.............................Page 18
Labor Relations .............................................Page 22
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■
OCTOBER 2016
Local 600 Report...........................................Page 24
NAPO Report .................................................Page 26
Around the State..........................................Page 76
Health and Wellness....................................Page 87
All in the Family ............................................Page 92
Member Benefits..........................................Page 93
Correction
On page 48 of the September issue, Somerset County
Sheriff Frank Provenzano was incorrectly described as
having no law enforcement experience. We apologize for
the error.