6-02-2023 12:59pm

Morris County Law Enforcement Leaders Celebrate 40-Year Milestone

Sheriff James M. Gannon, Undersheriff Mark Spitzer, and Director of Emergency Management Jeffrey Paul reflect on four decades of dedicated service.

Today marks a special day for three of Morris County’s leading law enforcement officers as they celebrate a remarkable forty-year journey since their graduation from the Morris County Firefighters & Police Training Academy.

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has paid tribute to this triad for their exemplary careers and unwavering commitment to local law enforcement.

Sheriff James M. Gannon, Undersheriff Mark Spitzer, and Director of Emergency Management Jeffrey Paul all graduated from the 20th Basic Police Academy Class in 1983.

Today, they celebrate the 40th anniversary of that significant milestone, having since dedicated their careers to serving the Morris County community.

“All three of these law enforcement leaders – Jeff Paul, Mark Spitzer, and Sheriff Gannon -- have had very successful careers, and we are fortunate that they dedicated those careers to serving our community here in Morris County," stated Commissioner Douglas Cabana, the board's law enforcement liaison and its longest-serving member. “Clearly their graduating class at the academy provided Morris County with four decades of impeccable leadership, and we are grateful for their service,” he added.

Gannon, after graduating from the academy, served initially as a Police Officer in Boonton Township and later the Town of Boonton, before joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 1986.

His impressive trajectory saw him rise to become Deputy Chief. He transitioned into corporate security in 2007, eventually taking on the mantle of Morris County Sheriff after his election in 2017.

Spitzer, on the other hand, dedicated 33 years to the Mt. Olive Township Police Department, ascending to the role of Chief before serving alongside Sheriff Gannon as Undersheriff in 2017.

Director Paul's journey started as a Police Officer in Morristown in 1983. He later joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 1996, eventually serving as Captain of Tactical Operations. His career then took a new turn towards the Morris County Department of Law & Public Safety.

"Forty years ago, I embarked on a mission to serve and protect the community. I’m honored to share the privilege and distinction of serving with such dedicated partners as Undersheriff Spitzer and Director Paul, and all our county officers, all these years later," said Sheriff Gannon.

Undersheriff Spitzer reflected on his journey, saying, "I couldn’t have predicted I would be here working alongside my classmates, Sheriff Gannon and Director Paul, some forty years later. It shows you how meaningful the connections you make in life can be, and how much our training prepared us for careers in law enforcement."

Director Paul echoed similar sentiments, stating, "There is no greater service to a community, big or small, than the mission of public safety. This was my calling; I answered the call, and I remain honored and humbled to have done so alongside Sheriff Gannon and Undersheriff Spitzer for the past 40 years."

The achievements of these three men remain a testament to the dedication, tenacity, and resilience required in the field of law enforcement.

As they celebrate their 40-year milestone, the citizens of Morris County continue to reap the benefits of their steadfast commitment to serve and protect.