Della Fave Named 2020 Former Trooper Of The Year

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Al Della Fave, the former spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and for the New Jersey State Police, has been honored as the 2020 Former Trooper of the Year by the Association of Former New Jersey State Troopers.

Della Fave, of Toms River, served as a trooper from June 1985 until his retirement in November 2009, and spent many years as the director of communications of the State Police Public Information Office.

Della Fave was posted with Troop C of the state police, and later became a well-respected instructor from 1989 to 1993 at the State Police Academy before leading the public information office.

"As the Outfit’s chief spokesperson, Al guided communication and positive public relations between the New Jersey State Police and its constituency," the nomination for the award said.

The nomination said Della Fave established himself as the voice of the New Jersey State Police during his 15 years as spokesperson for the outfit — lasting through nine attorneys general, five governors, five colonels, and one superintendent.

He has since shared his expertise with other law enforcement organizations as well as continuing to teach at the academy.

"Al became tremendously active regarding community/media issues, transforming a public information approach from defensive and reactive to engaging and proactive, by instituting a first, 'full-service' media relations office," said Col. Michael Fedorko, now retired from the state police, in a letter supporting the award.

Della Fave was promoted to major in 2008 and was assigned to the Regional Operations Intelligence Center as task force commander, where he served until his retirement.

Since retiring, Della Fave served as the press information officer at the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department before joining the prosecutor’s office. He also does freelance media consulting for law enforcement executives in the tristate area, and as a school resource officer in Toms River.

Della Fave has been a member of the Former Troopers Association since 2008, is a member of the Ocean and Monmouth County 200 Clubs, the Pipes & Drums of the Blue and Gold since 2001, and fills in for Santa Claus at the former troopers association's Christmas party yearly.

In addition to his law enforcement groups, Della Fave is very active in his church and is a driving force with the Societa' Madonna Dei Martiri in Hoboken. That organization awards scholarships yearly to Community Funds Inc., an organization that represents 60 residents of Hoboken who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. He is married and he and his wife, Diane, have two children: son Albert, and daughter Alyssa.

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