COUNCIL , from Page 1 family members — because we here at the department are all brothers and sisters ; we spend more time together than we do , probably , with our own families , and we see each other sometimes , more than our families ,” said Hammonton Police Chief Kevin friel .
The first officer friel recognized was Sgt . Christopher Clements ,
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com
who began his career with the Department of Corrections before joining the Hammonton Police Department in 2000 . friel spoke of Clements ’ tenacity , noting that it was evident while Clements attended the police academy with three other individuals .
“ in the first part of the academy , this person hurt their ankle to the point of — i mean really hurt their ankle — and instead of bowing out ,
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because they didn ’ t want to lose their place in it , every day was taping that ankle up to make his makeshift cast to get through the academy . i mean , this is a man that later on needed corrective surgery on that ankle but had the tenacity and drive to fight through and make it through that academy so that he could graduate and be a police officer here ,” friel said . friel said that Clements ’ dedication continued throughout his career .
“ He was a driving force in our night shift . He was on our bike patrol and served with us from 2000 to 2022 . i am lucky to say that , when i became chief in 2019 , of the two promotions i made , he was one of those two promotions — to the promotion to the rank of sergeant ,” friel said . friel called Clements to the podium and presented him with a plaque .
“ On behalf of the police department and the town of Hammonton , we would like to thank you in recognition of your 21 years of service here with the town of Hammonton — cumulatively you have 25 in the pension system — and i can ’ t thank you enough . i ’ m going to miss you , my brother , and i know you ’ re always going to be close by ,” friel said .
Clements then took to the podium . in addition to thanking the
Wednesday , March 9 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Council honored retirees Clements , Hagerty on Feb . 28
mayor , council and friel for the recognition he also thanked his family “ for all their support all these years .”
“ Without them , i probably wouldn ’ t be standing here at this podium , speaking to you guys tonight . To my co-workers , past and present : thanks for having my back all these years , allowing me to go home safe to my family . You guys will continue to be in my prayers . Thank you ,” Clements said . friel then recognized Det . Peter Hagerty , who was a police officer at Stockton University before being hired as a lateral transfer in 2005 .
“ Det . Hagerty came to us and was a member of our county erT , was our range master , was a man who helped keep our own emergency response team lucid and together , prepared to help the community if the instance ever arose where there was a hazard that we had to send guys in , armed ,” friel said . friel said that Hagerty ’ s prowess extended beyond the physical .
“ He also stepped in when we migrated to new software programs for our police agency . He stepped forward with information technology skills . He became our radio guy ; he became our computer man , and anytime that something wasn ’ t doing what it should be doing , Det . Hagerty was the one that they called . He did an awesome job ,” friel said . friel said that Hagerty is going to be greatly missed .
“ i certainly am happy for him to be able to move on to his next chapter in life ... in recognition of your 16 years of dedicated service to the town of Hammonton and the Hammonton Police Department , we ’ d like to present you with a token of recognition ,” friel said .
Hagerty offered brief remarks in appreciation .
“ first , i want to thank council . The last couple years , obviously , have been a little rough . To my guys in the back , i love you all . The ones that aren ’ t here , i love you . The next chapter ’ s coming up , so thank you ,” Hagerty said . following the recognition of the retirees , friel presented the report from the Law and Order Committee , noting that the department has been conducting “ a lot of DWi motor vehicle stops .”
“ i ’ d like to remind people that i know that everyone is over 21 , likes to go out and have a beverage or two , but we want to remind people to drive safely as we have , in March , the holiday of St . Patrick ’ s Day . i want to remind people to either — please — have a designated driver , call an Uber , Lyft or phone a friend at home , but please do not
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