Farewell Officer Tuohy
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers Local 314 and the entire State PBA lose a true leader
n BY DONNA WEAVER
A fighter and a tough guy and a man who was
willing to help anyone; that was how Monmouth
County Sheriff’s Office Local 314 former President
Joe Tuohy, was eulogized last month.
Tuohy died after a battle with cancer on May 29.
He was just 43-years-old. Tuohy retired after a 20year law enforcement career that included working
as a Monmouth County corrections officer, a
Holmdel patrolman and finally a Monmouth County Sheriff’s officer.
Tuohy is also credited with pioneering the Union
Beach Police Explorer program and volunteering in
the Middletown Police Explorer Post 102.
In a heartfelt eulogy, his wife Jacqueline said right
to the end Tuohy was taking care of his family –
including children Sean and Hailey – and putting
everything in place to make sure they would be OK once he was gone.
“Even in the end you fought for everything with passion and dedication. You were someone who could find common ground with anyone,”
she said as she fought back tears. “I hear stories about what a tough guy
you were, but the man I knew was gentle and never raised his voice to
me or our children.”
Tuohy was committed to his family, his Irish heritage and fighting for
fairness in both the law enforcement profession and as a leader in his
Local.
Although his career was in Monmouth County, Tuohy was an active
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supporter of the Locals in Ocean County near his
home in Manahawkin.
Those brothers and sisters in blue filled the St.
Mary’s Chapel in New Monmouth on June 3 to say
their last goodbyes to Tuohy.
For Local 314 State Delegate Michael Schulze,
Tuohy’s death is a devastating blow to the law
enforcement community and the State PBA, as he
was known for teaching his fellow members that it
was their responsibility to keep the government on
its toes. He even worked to teach his brothers and
sisters in blue the ins and outs of the Open Public
Records Act and the process of obtaining government documents.
“He worked on three contracts for our officers
and he always fought for everyone no matter who
they were,” Schulze said. “And at every PBA event,
Joe was always there.” Schulze said Tuohy’s heart bled blue and you
wouldn’t want to be on the other end of the table negotiating a contract
with him.
“He never focused on his struggles and he helped me out until the
end, providing me with information and guidance,” he recalled.
Donations for Sean and Hailey Tuohy’s college fund can be sent to
the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers Civic Association, PO Box 1245
Freehold, NJ 07728. Checks should be made payable to the Joe Tuohy
Fund. d