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The Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy got a visit from the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit on Wednesday morning.  The State Police landed a helicopter at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains as part of Sheriff’s Youth Academy curriculum.  The youth academy is a program offered by the Sheriff for students who have an interest in Law Enforcement.  The curriculum includes physical training, hands on learning, demonstrations from specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9, Federal Agencies and the State Police Aviation Unit.

Sheriff Joe Cryan stated: “We at the Union County Sheriff’s Office are very grateful for the level of cooperation we get from the New Jersey State Police with our Youth Academy.  This has been an ongoing relationship in an endeavor that we at the Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police feel is a most worthwhile investment in our youth.”

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan thanks Florence Duggan of Westfield for the donation of pet oxygen masks to the K9 Search and Rescue Unit from the Sussex Hills Kennel Club. The officers from the K9 unit are (from left) Officer Ryan Wilson, Sgt. Brian Howarth with K9 Devante, Officer Timothy O’Grady, Detective Anthony Gialanella and Officer Bryan Frew.

The K-9 Search and Rescue Unit’s assignments include searching buildings, locating missing persons, detecting narcotics, detecting explosives/explosive devices and specialized patrol functions. The services of this unit are requested by law enforcement agencies throughout Union County, and sometimes beyond the county limits. They also respond to calls which include providing assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency, New Jersey State Police, U.S. Customs, U.S. Postal Police and the U.S. Secret Service.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Linda Carter and Vernell Wright joined Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan marching in the annual Central Jersey Fourth of July Parade in Plainfield. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan (R) thanked VFW Post 2433 Commander Leo Graf (3^rd R) and past Commander and Quartermaster Bob Johnsen (2^nd R) as they presented the Sheriff’s Office K9 Search and Rescue Unit with 5 K9 ballistic vests Post 2433 donated.  The officers from the K9 unit are (from left) Officer Ryan Wilson, Detective Anthony Gialanella, Officer Timothy O’Grady, Officer Bryan Frew and Sgt. Brian Howarth. K9 Ruger is wearing one of the donated vests. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan swears in Dennis Burke as he is promoted to the rank of Captain during a ceremony at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is Captain Burke’s wife Meredith. Captain Burke, a 20-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, will continue his assignment as the Commander of the Fugitive, Family Violence and Street Crime Units. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

During a predawn sweep in and around Plainfield this morning, members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad and Plainfield Police Division Narcotics Bureau arrested fifteen people on outstanding warrants including a murder suspect, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and Plainfield Police Director Carl Riley announced Tuesday.

Officers began the round up assisting Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force members in the apprehension of Richard Culver, 26, who was arrested without incident at his home on Mercer Avenue in North Plainfield.

Culver of Somerset County was wanted for the fatal shooting of a Plainfield man outside of a city restaurant in 2010.

“Thanks to the coordinated effort and cooperation between law enforcement agencies we able take some dangerous people off the streets today,” Sheriff Cryan said. “We will continue to work closely together to make Plainfield and Union County a safer place.”

Culver has been lodged in the Union County Jail, with bail set at $750,000 by state Superior Court Judge Frederic R. McDaniel.

The Quality of Life warrant roundup also netted 14 suspects wanted on a variety of charges ranging from municipal warrants to aggravated assault.

“These officers will vigorously pursue any man or woman who is wanted, whether it is for a violation of probation or murder,” Sheriff Cryan added.

The Sheriff specifically noted the efforts of the Plainfield Police Division’s Criminal Investigations and Narcotics Unit Supervisors, Captain Brian Newman and Lt Kevin O’Brien who coordinated the round up with UCSO Lt. Dennis Burke.

Shakir Tyler was wanted for aggravated assault. Shepard Mitchell, James Watkins, Nathaniel Summers had Superior Court Bench Warrants issued for failure to comply: original charge was possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Bruce Brant and Carolina Henriquez had Superior Court Bench Warrants issued for failure to appear: original charge was possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Allan Jordan had a Superior Court Bench Warrant issued for his arrest for a Violation of Probation: original charge was of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. George Byrd had a Superior Court Bench Warrant issued for his arrest for failure to comply: original charge was tampering with evidence. Estelle Talley had a Superior Court Bench Warrant issued for her arrest for failure to comply: original charge was prostitution. Latanya Watson had a Superior Court Bench Warrant issued for her arrest for failure to comply: original charge was theft of deception. Regina Wheeler had a Superior Court Bench Warrant issued for her arrest for failure to comply: original charge was abuse of a child. Christine Johnson was wanted for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and failure to pay child support. Christine Fitz and Kevin Livingston were wanted on municipal warrants. All are Plainfield residents

Union County Sheriff’s officers joined the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey in Elizabeth. The Torch Run is a statewide campaign coordinated and managed by all divisions of law enforcement officers and officials from throughout the state. For more information, visit www.njtorchrun.org.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

More than 200 fourth grade students from schools throughout Union County entered the contest.

(From left) Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte congratulate the top winners of the 2015 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers.

The top winners of the contest, which is open only to fourth-graders, are (from 2^nd left): Nyssa Gandhi (1^st place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark, Joseph Etrata (2^nd place) from St. Michael Elementary School in Clark, Matthew Imhoff (3^rd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark and Adriana G. Veliz Mayen (4^th place) the Jefferson School in Plainfield.

(From left) Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte congratulate the 12 winners of the 2015 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers