Two Promoted To Rank Of Lieutenant In Middletown

Two Middletown police sergeants have been promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Charles W. Terefenko and John Werner were promoted at the Township Committee meeting Monday night.

According to a news release from the township:

Terefenko joined the department in 1995 and was promoted to sergeant in 2006. He has worked in the patrol division, detective bureau and in police administration. He has served as a field training officer, and he is a member of the department’s Emergency Services Unit and Bicycle Patrol Unit. He has received many awards and commendations during his career and was once named Police Officer of the Year.

Terefenko is a military veteran who served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

He holds holds a master’s degree in public administration and a certificate in emergency management from Kean University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seton Hall University. He’s also a graduate of the 37th class of the West Point Command and Leadership Academy, and the New Jersey Certified Managers program.

Terefenko is a graduate of Middletown High School North. He is a life member of VFW Post 2179 and the American Legion National Post.

Werner joined the department in 2004, and he previously served as a Monmouth County Corrections Officer. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010. He has worked as a squad commander and as a detective sergeant.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Monmouth University. He graduated from the 18th Class of the Cape May County Police Academy with several honors and awards. He also attended the 19th Class of the Monmouth County Police Academy for Corrections.

He is a graduate of Raritan High School in Hazlet. Werner has received several awards and commendations, including the Middletown Township Employee of the Month award.

Photo courtesy Middletown Township; From left: Deputy Chief Stephen Dollinger, Lieutenants John Werner and Charles Terefefenko, Deputy Chief Robert Stefanski and Police Chief R. Craig Weber.