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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.

The Union County Sheriff’s Department and GoMo Health are proud to announce the launch of a new First Responder Resiliency program—a comprehensive digital initiative designed to address the unique emotional, mental, and physical stressors and traumas experienced by first responders and their families and support networks.

This groundbreaking partnership brings together the behavioral science expertise of GoMo Health with the commitment of the Union County Sheriff’s Department to provide proactive, stigma-free support to officers, dispatchers, fire fighters, EMTs, and other emergency  personnel.

“First responders face intense challenges every day, often without time or tools to process the trauma they experience,” said Peter Corvelli, Union County Sheriff. “This program is a much-needed resource to protect the mental and emotional health of those who protect us.”

“Mental health is public safety, and we have to treat it that way,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “This program reflects a cultural shift—one where we stand firmly in support of our law enforcement officers and emergency responders by meeting them with care, compassion, and real tools to   help carry the weight they never asked for but always show up to bear.”

The First Responders Resiliency Program delivers real-time, confidential support through a secure mobile platform, offering:

• Peer-based support networks to build resilience and reduce   isolation
• Training for supervisors to confidently address PTSD, trauma, and substance   use
• Resources for friends and family members to better understand and support their loved  ones

The First Responder Resiliency program content is tailored to the self-identified needs of each participant. It includes daily lifestyle guidance, wellness screenings, interactive assessments, and bi-directional communication to nurture long-term mental well-being.

By working together, we’re helping first responders feel seen, supported, and empowered,” said Bob Gold, Chief Behavioral Technologist at GoMo Health. “This program was built with their voices, and for their lives.”

The initiative is now available to all Union County first responders and is expected to expand to additional counties across New Jersey in the coming year.

About Union County, NJ Sheriff’s Department

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Union County, NJ,  providing a wide range of specialized services to ensure public safety and support community justice. From securing county facilities and managing municipal offender transport to supporting regional terrorism and domestic violence task forces, the department plays a vital role in both local and federal efforts. It operates innovative programs such as the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP), Project Lifesaver, and the Family Violence Unit—the first of its kind in New Jersey—while also providing training through the John Stamler Police Academy and its own Youth Academy.

About GoMo Health 

GoMo Health® applies a proprietary, evidence-based science of engagement, BehavioralRx®, to our cloud- based digital therapeutic, Concierge Care®, to actively extend care plans, and provide resources and support     to people in their “lived” environments – enhancing outpatient care and impact. This outpatient care delivery model integrates support for psychosocial and physical needs to create personalized, behaviorally based care plans that empower patients in their own care management and healthy decision making. Connecting with patients via its’ Telehealth Triple Play™, GoMo Health uses an intelligent mobile BOT to collect and triage patient data via home medical devices, conduct in-the-moment “conversations”, and gather electronic patient- reported outcomes (ePRO). This has proven to modify behaviors of patients with chronic and complex conditions worldwide, resulting in significant improvement in health outcomes and adherence, and decreased costs of care for providers, hospitals, health plans, employers, and life science  companies. 

For more information about the First Responders Resiliency Program, visit www.gomohealth.com or contact info@gomohealth.com.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which scammers impersonate law enforcement and falsely claim that the person has an arrest warrant.

Scammers inform victims that they missed jury duty or failed to appear for a court date and must pay fines immediately to avoid arrest. The fraudsters even go so far as to spoof official law enforcement phone numbers, use real names of officials, and send fake warrant documents with the victim’s name. It is crucial to understand that these calls are attempts to steal money from victims.

WHEN IN DOUBT, HANG UP! Law enforcement agencies will NEVER request payment over the phone to avoid arrest, cancel a warrant, or make threats if action is not taken. We will also never request payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency. If you receive a call making such requests, refuse and hang up. (No report is necessary.) If you fall victim to these scams or have already, please contact your local law enforcement agency to file a police report.

Sgt. Vazquez along with the bus driver and bus aide were able to remove all eight children from the bus safely and avoiding any serious injuries. Sgt. Vazquez’s actions helped to avoid a major tragedy.

Sgt Vazquez along with the bus driver and bus aide were able to remove all eight children from the bus safely and avoiding any serious injuries. Sgt. Vazquez’s actions helped to avoid a major tragedy.

News12 Coverage | CBS News Coverage

Sheriff Peter Corvelli and Undersheriffs Manata and Caparruva (not pictured) congratulated Sheriff’s Officer James Patania on being the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award for the 129^th session of the John H. Stamler Police Academy this past December. 

Officer Patania scored a final grade point average of 96.3% placing him at the top of his class.  His award will be proudly displayed in the Sheriff’s Office along with the 15 previous recipients of this prestigious award.