Retired Officers Give Meal, Clap For South Brunswick Police

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A group of retired police officers showed up at South Brunswick police headquarters last week to lend support, and give a meal, to the current active officers.

At the height of some of the most difficult days of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of 18 retired officers got together to feed the active officers who were walking in for the start of their shift.

The retired officers all served South Brunswick Twp. dating back to the 1970s. As the current officers walked outside to get the food, the retired officers, spread six feet apart and some wearing masks, began to clap.

“These are the people I looked up to when I first got here, and now they are clapping for me," said one active South Brunswick police officer, unnamed. "It humbling and reassuring to have their support.”

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The retired officers also left a note with the food. The note read:

From: The Retired Officers of South Brunswick P.D.
Subject: A Gift of Thanks
Date: April 7, 2020
Chief Hayducka,

With the COVID-19 virus raging around us these are truly perilous times indeed.

Especially with us seeing our friends and loved ones becoming ill and some even succumbing to this disease.

Though we no longer work for the South Brunswick Police Department, we understand the stressful and hazardous conditions the officers must now work under.

Collectively, we want to lend our support to you and the department, with a small gift. On Tuesday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m. we will make a small food donation in front of the police department.

Please accept this small offering in thanks for the job the officers, dispatch and staff is doing to keep all of us safe. A special thanks to Capt. George and Det. Rule.

Respectfully,

Chief Frank College
Chief Michael D. Paquette
Muriel Calvanelli
Capt. Gary Luck
Capt. Edward George
Capt. Joseph Charmello
Lt. Anthony Santawasso
Lt. Ronald Schmaltz
Sgt. Joseph Duca
Sgt. Scott Hoover
Sgt. Albert Duca
Sgt. Hugh McNeil
Sgt. Kenneth Drost
Cpl. Frank Volpicella
Det. Gregory Rule
Ofc. Kenneth Kersch
Ofc. Marc Lorenc
Ofc. Steve Waldron

"The food is greatly appreciated!," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "If you told me a month ago we would be doing all the things pandemic policing is requiring us to do, I would have said you are crazy."

"I want to thank each and every retired officer for building this agency into what it is today and giving the experience and tools to police this Township at a high level every day, in good and bad times. I truly believe we are the best municipal agency in the state of New Jersey,” said Hayducka.