www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ JANUARY 2015
Local 72 officers put on a
different type of uniform
■ STORY AND PHOTOS BY ED CARATTINI JR.
On Dec. 19, members of Verona Local 72 left their uniforms hanging neatly in their
lockers, and instead, put on costumes to deliver some holiday cheer for the Local’s 39th
Annual “Holiday Costume Trip.”
Officers visited numerous special needs schools throughout the county that care for
children with autistic spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.
The event was created in 1975 by retired Verona Police Captain Fred Di Stefano and
still continues with the same strength and enthusiasm as it did when it began.
“We have been participating in this trip for a long time; next year will be the trip’s
40th anniversary,” exclaimed Verona Sergeant Robert Shafer, who coordinates the
event each year. “We all look forward to being able to make these kids laugh. It definitely puts a smile on everyone’s face.”
From left, Lieutenant Mike Ruglio, Officer Chris Scheper as “Wile E. Coyote,” Officer Mike
Barone as “Santa’s Elf,” Sergeant Robert Shafer as “Shrek,” Officer James Barry as
“Santa Claus,” Officer Joe Ballantyne as “Ninja Turtle Michelangelo,” Officer Alyssa
Kirby as “Santa’s Elf,” Mike Cocucci as “Support Staff,” Officer Brendan Huber as “Curious George,” Officer John Lecreux as “Donkey From Shrek,” Officer Bill Frazee, Police
Chief Doug Huber and Police Captain Mitch Stern.
45
Local 340
Toy Drive
brings cheer to
Morristown
Hospital
For 11 years, Harding Township Local
340 Brother Stephen Devries has been
organizing a Christmas Toy Drive for
children at the Morristown Medical
Center in a Local holiday tradition that
began in 1998. After distributing presents to each patient, any remaining gifts
are given to the staff to disperse to new
patients admitted after officers leave.
“This year, Brother Stephen Devries
and Brother Louis Pirrello Jr. brought
cheer to many children when they
arrived to deliver presents as well as
smiles to many young faces,” stated
Local 340 President Michael Gromek.