Nutley Irish American Assoc. Names 2018 ‘Police Officer Of Year’

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley Irish American Association (NIAA) has named its 2018 Police Officer of the Year: James “Joe” O'Halloran.

According to the NIAA, O'Halloran, a father of four, was born in Kearny to his late father Joseph (Butch), and Vicki (nee Clunie) O'Halloran. He is a 5th-generation Irish-American; his paternal family lineage traces back to County Clare and Galway in the mid-1800s.

“Joe has been a Nutley resident for nearly 50 years, going through the Nutley school system and graduating Nutley High School in 1983 and attended William Paterson University,” the NIAA wrote.

According to the group:

“In January 1997, Joe was hired by the Nutley Police Department and served in the Patrol Division until 2014. He then became the township’s Traffic Safety Officer and also the first motorcycle officer in 20 years. He has many specialized training certifications, mostly in crash investigation, traffic control and enforcement. He is an academy level instructor, instructing new police officers before they hit the streets. He proudly served in patrol with his brother, Michael, until he retired in 2013. Joe serves as the vice president for the PBA Local #33 union and has since 2000. Joe would like to thank his chief, Thomas Strumolo, the command staff, and his fellow officers for their service in protecting the township of Nutley and making it one of the safest places to live and raise a family.”

O'Halloran serves as an Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop # 147 in Nutley. He is also a District Leader for the Nutley Democratic County committee, the NIAA stated.

In addition, he’s a “lifelong motorcycle enthusiast” and enjoys riding street and dirt bikes with his many friends and his two sons. O'Halloran is a member of the Blue Knights Newark Chapter NJ IV Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.

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