Building to carry name of former police chief
Howell officials will pay tribute to Harvey F. Morrell Jr.
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

Harvey F. Morrell Jr.

HOWELL - He has been described as "the pillar on which Howell was built," "a model public servant" and a "law enforcement legend." For more than 56 years, Harvey F. Morrell Jr. has been an agent of law enforcement.

Morrell, 76, who became Howell's first police chief more than 30 years ago, will see those praises solidified at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 when municipal officials acknowledge his contributions by renaming the police department and courthouse in his honor.

The police department is on Old Tavern Road. The building will be known as the Harvey F. Morrell Jr. Criminal Justice Building.

Morrell, the grandfather of 11, is a Monmouth County native who was born and raised in Matawan. He graduated from Matawan Regional High School and made the decision to serve and protect when he entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He served in the Air Force as a military policeman until 1955.

With a heart for justice, and vigor as strong as the shields that police officers pin to their uniforms, Morrell joined the Matawan police department in 1957. Morrell rose through the ranks and eventually earned the position of captain. He served Matawan for 24 years until he was called to lead the new Howell Police Department as its first chief in 1971.

As chief of a fledgling department in a community that was shedding its rural past for a suburban future, Morrell undertook the task of staffing the new agency. He hired experienced officers from Matawan, Aberdeen, Freehold Township, Wall Township and the New Jersey State Police, among others.

To better help him manage the growing police department and township, in 1978 Morrell completed requirements for a master's degree from Rider College in business administration. The following year he attended the FBI national academy in Quantico, Va.

Morrell served as Howell's chief of police from September 1971 through December 1989. In 1990 he took a job with Colts Neck and helped to start that township's police department as the director of public safety.

Morrell entered politics and became Howell's first directly elected mayor in 1993. He served from 1994-97.

"It was a good experience. I accomplished a lot during those four years and I met a lot of hardworking people," he said.

Morrell returned to his career in law enforcement after leaving office when he was named police director in Allentown, a position he continues to hold.

He said he has enjoyed every minute of his career and would not change anything about his life. He indicated that he was pleased with the recognition he has received and said the naming of the police building in his honor is a "really fantastic highlight of my career."

Mayor Joseph DiBella has known Morrell for almost eight years and said, "Harvey Morrell is perhaps one of the finest individuals I have ever met. He is a living example of a model public servant. The legacy he has created lives on to this day."

He said the things he has learned from watching Morrell are "to be humble and to lead by example."

Deputy Mayor Robert Walsh said he was "thrilled and honored to be part of the administration that decided to dedicate this building in his honor."

He said Morrell "played a very intricate part in some of the good things we see in Howell today. I am glad this is being done now and we are paying tribute to someone who is still with us."