Retiring Officer Feted By Newtown Township Police Department

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — After an extensive law enforcement career, Officer Julius Ferraro officially retired from the Newtown Township Police Department on August 31.

At the start of his career in 1969, Ferraro entered and served in the United States Marine Corps. He then served as a police officer, K-9 handler, and K-9 trainer for the Philadelphia Police Department from March 1982 to October 2005.

As a Philadelphia officer, he received commendations and awards for bravery, heroism, and merit, including a Police Officer of the Year award from the canine unit in 1992.

After retiring from Philadelphia, he served as a police advisor and trainer for DynCorp International in Iraq from November 2005 to November 2006, and as a police officer for the Newtown Borough Police Department from September 2007 to September 2009, when he joined the township.

Affectionately known as "Officer Jules," Ferraro has been extremely involved within the police department and the community. He directed, trained, and led members of the department’s Honor Guard, was a member and instructor of Bucks County’s Crisis Intervention Team Task Force, was involved in hostage negotiation as a former Bucks County South Central Emergency Response Team (SERT) negotiator, and was an instructor in the Teaching Educating And Mentoring (T.E.A.M.) School Liaison Program.

As a strong advocate for mental health, he specialized in helping those with Autism. Officer Jules has received commendations and numerous letters of praise and thanks from residents and from
surrounding police departments for his dedication, service, and assistance.

Officer Jules is known for his community outreach in schools and for his legendary connection with the students and teachers from many daily visits, book readings, and police demonstrations.

In a show of appreciation, Wrightstown Elementary surprised Officer Jules with a heartwarming retirement celebration on May 25 and Goodnoe Elementary surprised Officer Jules with a heartwarming celebration on June 8. Newtown Elementary School also included Officer Jules in their year-end presentation on June 14 and the Grange Fair honored him with a
retirement announcement on August 20. These celebrations are true testaments to the impact he has had and how much he is loved.

On August 31, the Newtown Township Police Department held a retirement party for Officer Ferraro, which was also attended by numerous police officers and officials from other Bucks County agencies. Chief John Hearn presented Officer Ferraro with a retirement plaque and kind words were shared by many.

The party ended with an emotional and ceremonial last radio call transmission to mark his retirement from the force.

You can read more about Officer Ferraro by clicking here.