Manalapan police chief will step down Dec. 1

John McCormack

John McCormack has worked for dept. for 3 decades

BY DAVE BENJAMIN

Staff Writer

After 31 years of service to the department, Manalapan’s "top cop" is set to retire as of Dec. 1. John G. McCormack has announced that he will be retiring from his post as chief of police.

McCormack, 59, has led Manalapan’s police force since 1997.

"It’s been 31 years with the Manalapan Police Department, and it’s been an exciting and rewarding career to be able to have helped, through public service, the residents of Manalapan," McCormack said. "I’ve worked with a great bunch of men and women. My employees and the people who worked with me were my most important asset. They were what mattered most to me.

"Nobody ever worked for Jack McCormack. We all worked together to accomplish the goals and the missions of the department. They provided a culture and an environment within the organization where they wanted to come to work and know that the work was appreciated by me and my staff. I would always tell them that they did a great job and I really appreciated it. That’s the kind of philosophy that I wanted to instill throughout the organization," the chief said.

McCormack said he had a strong relationship with PBA President Sam Britton and Superior Officers Association President Lloyd Drucker, and the people who preceded them in those positions.

"I had an open door policy," he said. "Anybody could come into my office at any point to discuss any matter."

The chief said he has as much enthu­siasm for the job now as he did when he started more than three decades ago. Although he said he feels sad to leave be­cause of all the friendships he has made over the years, he is looking forward to an active future.

"It’s time for me to move on after 31 very successful and wonderful years," he said. "I will cherish each year forever."

Township Committeewoman Beth Ward, who serves as police commissioner, said she is saddened McCormack will be leaving and at the same time delighted for him.

"I am both saddened and delighted that he will be leaving after 31 years of exemplary service to the township," Ward said. "Saddened, in that it will be a great loss for the department and the township, and delighted, knowing that he will be moving on to another wonderful period in his life. It’s a beautiful thing."

Deputy Chief Stuart Brown said, "It’s been a pleasure to have worked with Jack for my entire career. I wish him the best of luck in the future. I will miss him. He has had a very important impact on my career and he has been a great friend, my biggest supporter and a true gentleman."

Capt. Lou Moreto said, "We’re very happy for Chief McCormack. He has been a positive influence on this department for quite a number of years and he has guided this department through some very hard times."

McCormack’s administrative assistant and executive secretary Mary Caccamo said, "I am going to miss him like heck. I have been working with the police de­partment 30 years, in January, and that is how long I know the man. He is a peo­ple person who has an open door policy, which is very unusual for a chief. Anybody can go in and talk to him and that I have always admired. He is a hu­man being first."

McCormack began his career with the Manalapan Police Department in 1973 as a dispatcher. After two months on the job he was sworn in as a police officer. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1979, to deputy chief in 1996 and to chief on Sept. 1, 1997.

Born and raised in Matawan, McCormack is a United States Air Force veteran and a veteran of the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of many awards from local service organizations.

Mayor Drew Shapiro said, "It has been an honor to work with the chief. I have always said how proud I am of our police force and obviously he is the foundation of that force. It was the chief’s vision and ideas that brought our police force to the point that it is today and I wish him well in anything he does in the future."

Township Committee members Rebecca Aaronson, Mary Cozzolino and William Scherer joined Shapiro in thank­ing the chief and wishing him well in the future.

McCormack said his wife, Gail, "is just ecstatic about my retiring. My son, John, and my stepdaughter, Donna, have been wonderful supporters for me throughout the years and are just as excited."