Feb. 28 marked the final day of Captain Shawn Waldron’s distinguished service to the community as a sworn officer of the Hanover Township Police Department.

To honor his 38 year career in law enforcement and acknowledge the value he added during his tenure, police officers and members of the fire departments formed a line to salute the retired captain as he took his final “walkout” from headquarters.

Mayor Ron Francioli, Township Committeeman and Public Safety Director George Coppola, along with many of Waldron’s civilian co-workers, were on hand to lend support to the police department’s farewell show of respect, and at the same time, pay tribute to their valued friend and colleague.

“On behalf of the Township Committee I want to thank Shawn for his 38 years of dedicated service to our community, and extend our best wishes to him and his family on this achievement,” said Coppola.

Francioli said, “With his length of service, Shawn will always be a part of the Hanover Township family.”

Waldron began his career on Feb. 20, 1979, as a police dispatcher and became a probationary patrolman on June 1, 1981. From there, he was promoted to the ranks of sergeant in 1993 and captain in 2003.  In addition to being awarded citations for exceptional duty, he has received multiple letters of appreciation.   He served as the Police Department’s public information officer, Deputy Office of Emergency Management coordinator, and played a key role in the department’s attaining accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

In addition to his work as a police officer, Waldron faithfully served the community as a volunteer for the Cedar Knolls Fire Department/First Aid Squad (CKFDFAS) for more than 33 years, in the capacity of both a firefighter and member of the Board of Fire Commissioners for District #3.  Going forward, as a CKFDFAS employee, he will continue to use his Emergency Management Service (EMS) skills to help his colleagues and EMS volunteers ensure the public’s safety.

The Feb. 28 walkout ceremony honoring Waldron was a “first” for the Hanover Township Police Department.

“I want to thank Police Chief Mark Roddy for bringing together Shawn’s family and his law enforcement, civilian, and EMS colleagues on this beautiful day to pay their respects to the captain,” said Coppola. “The chief has begun a wonderful tradition today for honoring the dedication of future retiring officers who have served our community.”