Veteran Officer Formally Welcomed As New Howell Police Chief

HOWELL, NJ — Police Chief John Storrow, who took over the job Aug. 1, was officially sworn in Tuesday night at the Township Council meeting.

The well-attended gathering included a Police Department Honor Guard and an a cappella rendition of the National Anthem by singers from the Howell High School Rebel Remix.

With his family in attendance, Storrow was sworn in by Municipal Judge Susan Schroeder Clark. Deputy Mayor Pamela Richmond officiated over the meeting, giving a synopsis of Storrow's career in law enforcement and offering the good wishes and support of the Township Council.

Storrow "is everything our police department needs at this time," Richmond said. She also thanked Interim Chief Mark Pilecki "for keeping us safe" in the time since the prior chief retired in March.

Storrow, previously a captain on the Howell force, was named the next leader of the Howell Township Police Department in July.

Speaking softly but firmly, he assured the residents and officials gathered at the event that he would "do the best I can do to fix what needs to be fixed" in the department.

After a long career in law enforcement, Storrow, who lives in Jackson, thanked his family and his wife, in particular, for their understanding. And he added that he is committed to the new post: "I'll be here a little while," he said with a laugh.

"Based on Chief Storrow’s professional accomplishments, educational achievements, numerous certifications and trainings, and many recognitions across his 28 years of service with the Howell Township Police Department, I am 100 percent confident in his capacity to fulfill his new leadership role," said Interim Township Manager Joseph Clark at the time of Storrow's appointment.

Under the Township-Manager form of government in Howell, it was Clark's role, in collaboration with others, to interview the three captains seeking the position and make the final hiring choice. Former Chief Dan Shaffery of the Little Silver Police Department attended the interviews as an advisor/consultant, Clark said in July.

Pilecki replaced Chief Andrew A. Kudrick Jr., who retired for another position in March after seven years as chief and decades with the department. Kudrick was the subject of a no-confidence vote in December in the midst of a dispute with the Howell Township PBA. Kudrick has never addressed that matter publicly and had wished Pilecki well in the transition period.

Storrow started his law enforcement career at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. He joined the Howell Township Police Department in 1995 as an officer in the police department’s patrol division. Then followed a succession of promotions: He became a field training officer and sergeant in 2003, detective sergeant in 2005, lieutenant in 2011, and captain in 2015.

Since 2000, Storrow has served on both the Howell Township Police Department S.W.A.T. team and the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team as an assistant team leader, tactical operator, and explosives breacher.

In 2014, Storrow trained for three months at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., Clark said. Storrow holds certifications as a Monmouth County firearms instructor and a patrol assault rifle instructor through the New Jersey State Division of Criminal Justice Police Training Commission.

Storrow has earned a master's degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an associate’s degree from the College of Staten Island, Clark said.

Throughout his career, Storrow has received numerous awards and commendations, including a New Jersey Assembly Resolution for outstanding performance, awards for lifesaving and honorable service, and a unit citation during his tenure in the detective bureau," Clark said.