Morris sheriff marks 50 years as crime-fighter

MORRISTOWN - Edward V. Rochford has achieved a milestone of 50 years in law enforcement -- the past 23 as Morris County sheriff -- and at a surprise celebration Monday that brought together his childhood friends, officers and political supporters, he refused to say whether he will seek a ninth term next year.

“I haven’t said either way yet. I’ve got to get some stuff done,” said Rochford, 71.

The party at the Grand Cafe for some 60 friends of the sheriff to commemorate his years of service was arranged by county Republican Chairman John Sette and paid for by the county GOP committee.

The occasion was equal parts a social and political event, with many guests saying that Rochford has their full support if he seeks the GOP nomination in the June 2016 primary and  commenting on a rift that has developed between the sheriff and the county freeholders, who voted this year to take control of the correctional facility away from Rochford as of Sept. 1.

Guests arrived about a half-hour before Rochford. Sette ran around the elegant party room telling people to shout “Merry Christmas” when Rochford walked in, as he did, accompanied by companion Heather Darling, an attorney.

“What is this?” Rochford asked when he saw the crowd staring at him. Sette then announced that the party was to mark the sheriff’s 50 years in law enforcement, which included 22 years in  the Morris Township Police Department.

As guests munched on hors d’oeuvres of miniature hot dogs, shrimp and chicken, Rochford circled the room embracing and greeting people, including the sheriffs of Salem and Mercer counties, Denville Police Chief Christopher Wagner, president of the state Chiefs of Police Association, state Assemblyman Anthony Bucco and state Sen. Anthony “Tony” Bucco, both R-Morris.

“He brought a lot of integrity to the office. He ran against John Fox in 1992, and that was a challenge because Fox was formidable,” said Ralph Lopez of Morris Plains, one of a core group of nine people who committed themselves to Rochford’s first campaign in 1992.

“I never went to work one day because it was all fun,” Rochford said. “Look at these people. What happened? I thought I was going out for dinner with a small group of people.”

Sette, Corrections Officer Leon Pollison, president of Policemen’s Benevolent Association 298 at the jail, and Sheriff’s Officer Tom Reilly, president of PBA 151, the union for rank-and-file sheriffs officers, all said they support Rochford for a new term.

“Fifty years. God bless him, I couldn’t do it,” said Reilly. “We’re absolutely behind him 100 percent. We appreciate everything he does for us, being proactive and generally a good boss to work for.”

Morris Township Police Chief John K. McGuinness said Rochford has never stopped being a friend and adviser to him.

“Ed was my mentor, and he’s inspired me in so many ways,” McGuinness said.

While Pollison predicted that Rochford would regain control of the jail, Sette highlighted Freeholder Deputy Director John Cesaro’s presence at the party. Cesaro was the lone freeholder who abstained on the vote for the takeover, saying at the time he wanted more time to consider the major move and discuss it with Rochford.

“John Cesaro is the one freeholder who stuck up for the sheriff,” Sette said. Rochford himself referred to tensions between himself and county administration.

“I feel bad law enforcement is kind of under attack right now in all parts of the country, and I think one of the worst right now is right here in Morris County,” Rochford told the crowd in his remarks.

“My guys are getting crapped on, and I don’t like it. We’re going to fight to get what you guys deserve because you do a great job,” Rochford said.

Susan Hunter, Rochford’s chief-of-staff who started in January 2014, gave the longest speech and agreed Rochford will continue “to fight” for his officers, particularly on contract-related issues. Hunter said Rochford felt “betrayed” by some freeholder actions in the past, which she didn’t detail, but which have been publicly reported.

There have been multiple conflicts between the sheriff and the freeholders in the past 18 months -- over staffing levels in the Morris County courthouse, Rochford’s unsuccessful lawsuits over his proposal to give bonuses to officers, and his unprecedented, single-handed negotiation of labor contracts for officers and civilians that all were rejected by the freeholders as non-affordable.

“He’s human, and he hurts when he’s betrayed,” Hunter said of Rochford. “And this has been a tough two years. He’s been unfairly attacked.”

“But he is a man of faith,” Hunter said to the crowd. “He has always had his faith in God, that God would take him through this, that God would take us all through this. He’s always had the faith that the right would always win, and I happen to buy into that as well so it was a good match for the two of us. And as we went through tough times with the agency, he would always stay optimistic,” Hunter said.

Barbara Dawson, who also was an original supporter of Rochford in 1992 and has remained his friend through the years, acknowledged that Rochford may face an ugly re-election campaign if he chooses to run. James Gannon, a former deputy chief of investigations for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, has indicated he is likely to seek the Republican nomination for sheriff next year.

“The sheriff took a well-run office from John Fox and made it a better office,” Dawson said to the Daily Record. “The campaign should stay away from the personal side. Politics is not fun anymore. We used to have fun but there’s back-stabbing now. We need to keep campaigns issue-oriented.”

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.