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MORRIS COUNTY

Roxbury Chief to retire, run for Sheriff in Warren

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR
Hopatcong, 10/24/12--Roxbury Police Chief James Simonetti along with Hopatcong Police Chief Robert Brennan (not pictured) announced the arrest of 25 individuals for their involvement in a narcotic and prescription drug distribution network.The arrests culminated a month long investigation called "Operation Roxicong."

ROXBURY - Police Chief James Simonetti will retire at the end of March and plans to run for Sheriff in his home county of Warren.

Simonetti’s last day as Roxbury’s Chief of Police will be March 31, according to police spokesperson Jennifer Dillard.

“It has been an honor to work with Chief Simonetti a true professional in every aspect of police work,” Township Manager Chris Raths said. “He possessed great attributes that not only instilled respect with his colleagues and officers as well as with residents of our community.”

A Frelinghuysen resident, Simonetti filed paperwork Monday with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission to seek the Republican nomination for Warren County Sheriff in the June 7 primary.

Simonetti has been in law enforcement for 32 years, 25 in a supervisory role. He has been Chief of Police in Roxbury since 2011.

"I'm just an average citizen with strong credentials in law enforcement," Simonetti said.  "I never thought about running for public office before.  But our county's Sheriff is retiring and, with my experience, I feel that this is how I can best serve the place I call home."

Simonetti said he is a conservative who plans to “hold the line on spending” at the Sheriff's office.

"The property tax burden is already too high and I don't want to add to it," Simonetti said.  "In these tough economic times, we are going to have to learn how to provide a higher level of service to the people at less cost to the taxpayer. We need to learn how to do more with less.  There's no question about it."

A former narcotics officer who maintains membership in the New Jersey Narcotics Officer Association, Simonetti said he will also make cracking down on the rise in illegal drug use in the state's rural communities a top priority.

Simonetti also helps his wife, Kelly, run a nonprofit animal shelter on 120-acre preserved farm in Warren County a called Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary. The shelter cares for more than 1,000 sick, injured or orphaned wildlife each year annually with the help of dozens of volunteers.

Simonetti plans a formal announcement at a campaign kick-off fundraiser in February.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com