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Thje Union County Sheriff’s Office was honored to welcome Dr. Caesar DePaço, CEO of Summit Nutritionals International, Inc., during his recent visit to meet K9 Kona, who was generously donated to the agency in April 2024.

Following months of extensive training, K9 Kona has successfully completed certification and has officially been placed into service as a valued member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit. This highly trained partner will assist Sheriff’s Officers in advancing the agency’s mission to protect and serve the residents of Union County.

Sheriff Peter Corvelli expressed his sincere appreciation to Dr. DePaço and Ms. Padovani-DePaço for their continued support, recognizing their commitment to public safety and their investment in the men, women, and K9 partners who serve our communities.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to Dr. DePaço and Ms. Padovani-DePaço for their dedication to public safety and for helping strengthen the capabilities of the K9 Unit.

Thank you for standing alongside the Union County Sheriff’s Office and supporting its mission.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is proud to participate in the New Jersey Judiciary Security Management Response Team (NJ JSMART), a statewide law enforcement initiative dedicated to enhancing the safety and security of New Jersey’s judiciary.

Through collaboration, intelligence sharing, threat assessments, and protective investigations, NJ JSMART helps ensure courthouse environments remain safe and that potential threats are addressed in a comprehensive and professional manner. We are honored to work alongside our judiciary partners and fellow law enforcement agencies in this important mission.

Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli and the Union County Sheriff’s Office proudly support Team Sheriff in this year’s Police Unity Tour.

Undersheriff Victor Manata and Sheriff’s Officer Tyler Damm are honored to ride alongside law enforcement members from across the country in remembrance of the brave heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Now in its 30th year, the Police Unity Tour is more than a ride — it is a mission of remembrance, solidarity, and support for the families of fallen officers. We are proud of our riders and support personnel for their dedication, commitment, and willingness to take on this meaningful journey.

Sheriff Peter Corvelli and the Union County Sheriff’s Office were honored to welcome two very special visitors focused on wellness, morale, and mental health support.

K9 Dave from the Paterson Police Department and K9 Hobbes from the Newark Police Division stopped by to spend time with staff, bringing comfort, stress relief, and plenty of smiles.

Health and wellness K9s play an important role in supporting first responders and promoting overall well-being. Thank you to our partners for sharing these amazing K9s with our team — we look forward to seeing them again soon!

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is proud to recognize Sheriff’s Officer Emily Steitz for leading a training class for Union High School ROTC students called “Stop The Bleed, Save a Life Before EMS Arrives” on April 21st.

Officer Steitz, who also serves as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, provided hands-on instruction to help students learn life-saving skills they can use in emergency situations.

“Working with the students and being part of the same environment where I once grew up and attended school made the experience especially meaningful. Being able to return and contribute to educating the next generation was truly refreshing and fulfilling.” – Officer Emily Steitz

We’re proud of Officer Steitz’s dedication to both service and the community.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office “Superhero Team” participated in Union County’s 2026 Autism Acceptance Celebration at the Warinanco Sport Center.

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Union County Sheriff’s Office announces the tragic passing of Sheriff’s Officer Joseph DeVito, who lost his life this morning in a motor vehicle accident.

Officer DeVito was a dedicated member of the Sheriff’s Office who served with honor, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the community. His loss is deeply felt by his colleagues, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The circumstances surrounding the accident are currently under investigation by the New Jersey State Police. No further details are available at this time.

“We are devastated by the loss of Officer DeVito,” said Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “He was not only a valued member of our department, but also a respected colleague and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Union County Sheriff’s Office asks the public to keep Officer DeVito’s family, loved ones, and fellow officers in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this tragic loss.

Officer Gritschke was a valued member of our Sheriff’s Office family, and his passing is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. His service and dedication to the people of Union County will always be remembered.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Gritschke’s family, friends, and fellow officers during this incredibly difficult time.

We ask the community to please keep his loved ones and the members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and respect the family’s privacy as they grieve.

Information regarding arrangements to honor Officer Gritschke will be shared when it becomes available.

Rest in peace, Officer Gritschke. We will remember your service.

-The Union County Sheriff’s Office

The Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) is alerting residents to a recurring phone scam that has surfaced again, with scammers becoming increasingly aggressive in impersonating law enforcement officers.

Callers claim the individual has an arrest warrant — often citing missed jury duty or a failure to appear in court — and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. Recent incidents show scammers spoofing official phone numbers, using the names of real Union County officers, and sending fake warrant documents containing the victim’s personal information.

These calls are entirely fraudulent and intended to steal money and sensitive information.

WHEN IN DOUBT, HANG UP.

Law enforcement agencies will never:

• Demand payment over the phone.
• Request gift cards, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
• Threaten immediate arrest for nonpayment.
• Ask for personal or financial information over the phone.

“Residents should know that we will never ask for money over the phone — not for fines, not for warrants, not for anything,” said Sheriff Peter Corvelli Jr. “If you receive a call like this, end the conversation immediately and verify with your local police department.”

If you receive one of these calls, hang up. A report is only necessary if you have provided money or personal information.

Residents who believe they have been victimized should contact their local police department to file a report.

For additional information or updates, contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 908-527-4450 or visit https://ucnj.org/sheriff/.

Congratulations to our 2025 Youth Academy graduates. We thank all instructors and staff whose efforts contribute to this program’s ongoing success each year.

We also appreciate the family members and friends who support these recruits, and we value the opportunity given to the Sheriff’s Office to teach respect for laws and highlight the importance of being positive role models in their communities.

Our sincere gratitude extends to the county commissioners and county manager for their steadfast support of our youth initiatives by providing the necessary resources to ensure the program’s success. All graduates have shown the qualities needed to become community leaders, and we couldn’t be more proud.