The above left picture depicts Lacey Township Police vehicle #39 taken in front of the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department, honoring the late Officer Sullivan, Sr,. This was the last vehicle operated by Officer Sullivan, Sr., Badge #39 before his retirement in 2005. The remaining two pictures depict his cop-cards.
Retired Police Officer Paul Sullivan, Sr., Badge #39 – The Lacey Township Police Department is mourning the loss of retired Police Officer Paul Sullivan, Sr., who passed away at 62-years-of-age on Monday, September 5, 2016, at his home in Kissimmee, Florida. The services for Paul Sullivan, Sr., were held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at Riggs Funeral Home in Forked River.
Paul Sullivan, Sr., moved to Lacey Township in the 1970’s and served as a Lacey Township Police Officer from 1979 until his retirement in 2005 after 26 years of service. Officer Sullivan, Sr., served his community with dedication, honor, and pride. Officer Sullivan, Sr., will be most remembered in our department for the love of his children and grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Officer Sullivan, Sr., was especially proud of his son, Lacey Township Police Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr., Badge #77, who is a third generation police officer. Additionally Paul Sullivan, Sr., had a passion for Disney, ultimately realizing his dream after retiring and becoming employed by Walt Disney World.
Paul Sullivan, Sr., leaves behind his wife, Teresa Sullivan, children Kelly and her husband Paul Woodward, Paul Sullivan, Jr., and his wife Lauren Sullivan, Nicholas and wife Crystal Muckelston, and Amanda Wilson, his grandchildren, Mackenzie, Sydney, Owen, Cooper, Cole, Christian, Lucas, Jacob, and Brooke; siblings, Jeannie and her husband Jerry Bole, Claudia and her husband Robert Gearheart, Christopher and his wife Jean Sullivan, Robert and his wife Christine Sullivan, and Amy and her husband John Voorhees. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Just two months ago I had the privilege to talk briefly about Paul Sr., and his son, PJ (Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr.,) at our promotion ceremony on July 14, 2016. I never thought that less than two months later I would be writing about his passing. I started as a Special Police Officer back in the early 90’s, I was new and didn’t know what to expect. Almost immediately, and on several more occasions, Officer Sullivan, Sr., took me aside and spoke to me about what it meant to be a police officer in this agency. Throughout my early years, Officer Sullivan, Sr., placed his trust in me, and I truly believe that his influence and guidance assisted me in fulfilling my ultimate dream of becoming a Lacey Police Officer in 1998 and I am forever grateful to him and his family for that.
I had the privilege to attend the services for Officer Sullivan, Sr., yesterday and it was a true honor to be there. I was overwhelmed and grateful by the amount of support for the Sullivan family. I want to thank the entire community, along with all of late Officer Sullivan’s friends and family for their attendance and support. Furthermore I need to thank all of the police officers of the Lacey Township Police Department (both currently serving and retired), including but not limited to the Honor Guard, Lieutenant Vince Meehan, and Officers John Cernek, Brian Holt, Noah Schaffer, and Officer Bernard Snyder (Retired), for everything they did to support the family.
Officer Sullivan, Sr., you will be truly missed by your extended family here at the Lacey Township Police Department. You will forever remain in our hearts and we all thank you for your dedicated years of service.
Release authored by: Chief Michael C. DiBella, and Officers John Cernek, and Noah Schaffer.