Mendham Swears In Two New Sergeants

It was less than five minutes after being promoted to Sergeant that officer Joseph Pirillo faced the prospect of being stabbed.

In this case, his would-be assailant was his father, Stephen Pirillo, who was pinning the new shield on the Mendham Sergeant.

“You know how this goes right?” Asked Councilman Brad Badal as he handed the new gold badge to the elder Pirillo. “Push it straight in.”

Stephen Pirillo didn’t miss a beat in responding. “I remember from when he pinned mine on me.”

Joseph Pirillo was one of a pair of promotions at the Mendham Borough Council meeting on Monday. Along with Pirillo, Brian Hostler also received a sergeant’s shield in front of a standing room only house at the Garabrant Center in Mendham Borough.

Both officers thanked their loved ones and the governing body for their support. Mayor Neil Henry, who did state that no new officers would be hired at the patrolman level.

“Chief Libertino believes he can make it work down one officer,” Henry said. “And with the economic situation being what it is, we are happy to let him give it a go.”

As Henry went through the bios of the new sergeants he mentioned Sgt. Hostler’s three-year-old daughter who was in attendance, although there was confusion as to whether her dress was printed with flowers or strawberries.

“Lady bugs,” Hostler said.