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In the month of January close to 150 officers, Sergeants and Lieutenants retired from the Port Authority of NY & NJ Police Department. The 150 is more than the entire sworn personnel of many police departments in New Jersey. We wish them all well with a long healthy retirement including one D/Sgt. Robert Zachowski who is retiring after 37 years of service. I first met Bobby when he came on as a rookie and later down the road when he became my boss in the criminal investigations' bureau. Every step of the way Bobby was a gentleman, knowledgeable and was a go to guy for the CIB and higher ups. No doubt D/Sgt. Zachowski will be missed at the PAPD.

photo; a gathering of active and retired from local, state and federal departments hosted by R. May seated far left. seated far right Detective Sergeant Robert Zachowski.

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Recently another retirement occurred within the Edison Police Department, that of Captain Dominick Masi. Dominick who is well respected within the department as well as the large community that is Edison Township will surely be missed. His leadership skill set is remarkable and he could easlily communicate with anyone of any age.

Photo; 1-Captain Dominick Masi 2-Captain Masi on his last day on patrol with his daugther.

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A good read non fiction book written by the Executive Director of the National Police Defense Foundation retired federal INS Agent Joseph Occhipinti. Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and where books are sold.
Joseph Occhipinti is a native New Yorker where his desire to be involved in community service led him to a career in law enforcement. He graduated from Brooklyn College where he earned a BA degree.

In January 1969, Joe joined the U.S. Army Reserves, where for six years he served as a Military Policeman. In March 1972, Joe was appointed as a Customs Patrol Officer where he was assigned to investigate international smuggling and organized crime.

In 1976, Joe transferred to the INS as a Special Agent where he became one of the country's foremost experts on ethnic organized crime. Joe worked deep undercover and infiltrated a drug cartel that led to one of the largest cocaine seizures at that time. In 1984, Joe became the youngest agent to be promoted to Chief of the NYC Anti-Smuggling Unit.   In 1989, Joe initiated a multi-agency task force "Project Bodega" to investigate a drug cartel implicated in the murder of a NYPD officer. In retaliation, the cartel set-up Joe on fabricated civil rights allegations that led to his prosecution, conviction and imprisonment. However, due to public outrage, President George H.W. Bush granted Joe "Executive Clemency" on January 15, 1993 and on December 23, 2020, President Donald J. Trump granted him a "Full and Unconditional Pardon" with a personal apology for Joe's injustice.

On August of 2014, a number of Suffolk County Police Officers wanted to organize a fraternal organization. Officer Jeff Fong traveled to New Jersey where NJAALEOA President Joe Luistro and President Emeritus Robert May gave Jeff the information he needed to start and maintain a successful police fraternal organization over breakfast. Jeff in his own right a leader took said information to his group which soon after became the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society. Since 2014 the organization has produced several programs each year for their community, participates in the annual dragon boat races at Flushing Meadow Park where hundreds attend this event, conduct an annual dinner and as noted below a fantastic Meet and Greet. What the NJAALEOA use to do (now no more) the Suffolk County organization continues to do super programs and they it well. If for some reason you are in the area of the Meet and Greet we are always welcome by our brother and sister of the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society.

Photo left to right: Robert May, Jeff Fong and Joe Luistro

Please join us on Tuesday, January 31st, 10:30am at the NY Turkish American Center (133 Sunrise Hwy, Amityville) to meet with NY State Deputy Director of Asian American Affairs, Mr. Sibu Nair and the 17th Superintendent of NY State Police, Steven Nigrelli. Also present will be leaders and representatives from the FBI, Suffolk DA's Office, Suffolk PD, Nassau DA's Office, Nassau PD and other other organizations.  Light snacks and refreshments will be served at the event.

Over the years a significant number of the membership has risen to perform very detailed, significant work and combine his/her efforts with others to complete a very important and at times dangerous mission. Our own 1^st Vice President Senior Corrections Officer Ray Alfaro, and members Officer M. Constantino and Officer M. Enriguez just completed such a mission.

Without detail, Ray and others on this New Jersey based elite team, professionally, with determination completed the goals of the mission to its successful conclusion. Congrats Officers ,Enriguez, Constantino and Alfaro for a job well done!

Photo left to right Officers' Constantino, Enriguez and Alfaro.



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Update: I recently had breakfast with Janet the NJAALEOA President. I expressed some thoughts and maybe they will also answer some thoughts you the membership addressed to me. For 25 years I created produced or had the association take part in national state, and local programs. The last two were STOP the Asian Hate programs where I did 100% of the work and gave 100% of the credit to the association. My last major program was the Career Fair and Law Enforcment Social attended by hundreds including the honorable NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and 1^st Deputy AG Jennifer Davenport. I had no involvement with the last two "picnics." After 25 years I will cut back on producing programs as some of you have noticed. I will always assist those members, nonmembers and the law enforcement profession as I have for ¼ century and counting as President Emeritus. 25 years ago, I used 25. of my own money to start an account for the association. 25 years later the association has tens of thousands of dollars in said account. I advised Janet of my concerns with spending membership money on recent purchases of which most do not benefit the membership. Other matters from this productive meeting were discussed. After 25 years of devotion to the association , and members it is as mentioned time for the youngsters to produce. With some time on my hands, I have.....

*I was asked to be on a board of a million dollar plus law enforcement organization, I respectfully declined at this time.

*I am a Board of Director with the NJ Asian American Law Enforcment Foundation. To date the foundation has awarded four annual scholarships without the use of membership money. One can go on www.asiancops.org for the awardees. The foundation also during the height of COVID awarded a number of ShopRite or Walmart gift cards to those "In Need", to help the member and their family and again without the use of membership/association money.

*For over a year I have been a member of a think tank (yes, they do exist) Some fantastic work has come about and I am proud to be part of that team.

*9-11-01, I was there with some of the most unselfish, dedicated, rescue workers, and construction personnel and many others I have had the privilege to be part of. No bitching in freezing winter, or super-hot summer. Not one word of I am too tired or when is lunch. Lunch or dinner or breakfast came when it came, if not so be it. I have some medical ailments as a direct result of being at the site. I will spend time and deal with them. More important is never to forget over 2000 people were murdered that one day. May they all rest in Peace.

*Lastly, since moving the dial back a little I have the greatest joy spending more time with my family. My wife of 47 years who has put up with me, I try every day to make each day her day. My daughters grown up and as my memory fades a little, they remember things when they were kids that just puts a smile on my face. My grandchildren. Many of you are much too young for grandchildren. I am not. They bring a joy to me and my better half that cannot be described. I missed a lot of family time after 25 very active years with the association, 31 years as police officer/detective and other endeavors extending 40 years. Time to spend more time with my children, grandchildren and especially my much better half.

PS - THANK YOU! I reached out to you recently to help someone that was behind the 8 ball. From the west coast of California to the east coast of New Jersey and New York and in between to those that answered the call again THANK YOU!. From those that I have known for decades to those that I have known for a year; I am privileged to be in the company of you all. And for the 3^rd time, THANK YOU!

When a sworn law enforcement officer is assassinated/killed in the line of duty, we as a very large group mourn the loss of one of our own. Unless the hero officer is a mof we usually say a prayer and RIP and in a couple of days move on, until the next, and there will be a next, sworn killed in the line of duty incident usually at the hands of a punk, scum type person with no respect for life and law. Recently only a few days ago Las Vegas police officer T. Thai was shot and killed while responding to a domestic call. Officer's Thai's line of duty tragedy this time hit home. This veteran, well liked and respected officer is also the uncle of NJAALEOA President Detective J. Thai. As with family we mobilized to support Janet and her family. Special thanks to NJAALEOA 1^st VP Officer Ray Alfaro who on his own dime travelled with Janet and her daughter to ensure she was ok in Las Vegas and immediately returned back to NJ., An extortionary measure but that's what one does when it's family. Subsequently on the day of Officer Thai's funeral (left to right of photo) members Officers Mike Eriquez, Shirley Dong, Janet, Officers Ray Alfaro and Mark Constantino flew to Las Vegas to support and be with Janet and her family.

To all those members, supporters and fellow community leaders who answered the 8-14 call for assistance THANK YOU. Every penny donated will be delivered by Jamie and I to Janet without any deduction of administrative fees like those used by some donation sites.

To Las Vegas Police Officer T. Thai and all those sworn law enforcement personnel that also made the ultimate sacrifice for community and country, we honor your service and may you rest in peace.

   The New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Officers Association www.asiancops.org 1997-2022

Sunday is September 11,2022. A short 21 years ago this country. the United State of America suffered the worst terrorist attack on its soil ever. In one day, thousands of innocents and hundreds of rescue personnel died that day. Yet ask a youngster what happened on September 11,2001 and one may receive a shrug. a "I don't know" Sad indeed. Will ignorance bite these youngsters later in life as history may repeat itself?

Maybe the grownups, especially the politicians who cry out hate against other Americans should instead focus on those of other lands that truly want us hurt or dead.

To all those that have suffered a loss because of the events of 9-11-01, your voice needs to be heard to those that have little or no knowledge of that day. Let us never have another 9-11-01. All schools should speak of what happened on 9-11-01.

Below a message from the top bosses of the PA in regards to honoring those lost at both WTC terrorist attacks. To all those that have past on that day and during the subsequent days and years as a result of the 9-11-01 aftermath. May you all Rest in Peace.

NEVER FORGET

Robert May, Detective (ret.) Port Authority of NY & NJ Police Department

President Emeritus/ founder the NJAALEOA

The Port Authority of New York and Jersey

CORPORATE

New Jersey Globe

The O’Toole Chronicles: On 9/11 Anniversary, the power of a rose

Kevin O'Toole – 12:01am

The events of September 11, 2001, reverberated across the globe. The horrific images of the destruction of the Twin Towers are seared in our collective memories. In the following days, months, and years, all of us found our private way to healing.

All around us, in communities in New Jersey and New York, the losses were personal. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and friends perished – so many lives were forever changed by what happened on that Tuesday morning.

9/11 was deeply personal for us, the people of the Port Authority, as well. Many employees fled for their lives, just as some had after the bombing at the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993. Memories of that day in 1993 made 9/11 even more harrowing for them.

It was not an easy task to mourn the loss of 84 individuals who worked for the Port Authority, including the 37 members of the Port Authority Police Force who died on 9/11, the single greatest loss of life for a single policing event in U.S. history.

But the people of the Port Authority – an extraordinary collection of individuals who become one in the face of adversity – pushed through grief and pain and began the process of rebuilding the World Trade Center campus, a process that has offered healing to the region.

In the following 21 years, a poignant memorial and museum to the nearly 3,000 people who died on 9/11 and those who perished in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing was created. The names of the dead are engraved in bronze around twin waterfall voids that outline the footprints of the North and South Towers.

Each 9/11, ceremonies are held on the World Trade Center campus to honor the dead and the sacrifices made. The reading of each name remains as powerful today, as it was more than two decades ago. There is healing in such large gatherings broadcast across the globe. But there was also a need to do something intimate and more personal for the people of the Port Authority – current employees, retirees, and the families of Port Authority employees who died on 9/11 and 1993.

Last year, the Agency began what I and my valued partner at the Port Authority, Executive Director Rick Cotton, hope will be a long tradition: A rose ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial. Many of us gathered near the footprint of the South Tower where each attendee was given a rose with a name attached of a Port Authority employee who died on 9/11 or in the 1993 bombing and the specific location where that

name is inscribed along the pools, and then they placed their rose on that person’s name.

This year, on September 7, we conducted a similar ceremony. Unlike 9/11’s brilliant blue sky, it was an overcast morning, befitting a somber tribute – a few words were spoken by Rick and myself, a prayer was offered by a rabbi, followed by the plaintive sound of bagpipe. The simplest of actions resonate the loudest.

Many of us have experienced the rush of emotions of placing a rose at a gravesite, a gesture that offers comfort, while also leaving behind a physical sign that someone acknowledged that departed person.

Roses are prized for their beauty. Poets comment on their fragrant smell and vibrant colors, while noting the thorns on the stems, a reminder that pain and beauty often are linked.

I know for myself and for Rick, as we laid our roses, in that moment that person became real. No longer a name in bronze, but rather a colleague neither of us had never had the good fortune to know. The feeling stayed as I paid my respects in the small garden behind the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine that is dedicated to the first responders and recovery workers of the Port Authority who died or are ill due to their heroic efforts.

Healing takes time. For some, the pain remains. For all of us who remember that day, our memories still are vivid. But that will change with time.

We need to put action to words to make memories live, not just for us, but for the new people who join the Port Authority, some so young they have no living memory of 9/11. They will see in the faces of senior co-workers who lay a rose, the faces of those lost.

In short, we are remembered by how we remember those who came before us. As members of the Port Authority, we chose the beauty of a rose.

That is how we remember.



The New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Foundation on August 10th presented the 2022 scholarship award to Ms. Rylie Masi, the daughter of long time NJAALEOA member Captain Dominick Masi.

This is the fourth 1000.00 scholarship awarded by the foundation. The foundation during the height of COVID offered NJAALEOA members in good standing a 50.00 Shoprite or Walmart gift card if they felt they were "in need." No further inquiry was made by the foundation. In a quiet manner several Shoprite and Walmart gift cards were mailed to said individuals' with only the foundation board of directors aware of who received said cards.

Photo lt to rt: VP board member Nelson Chen, Captain D. Masi, 2022 scholarship recipient Rylie Masi & board President Robert S. May

Congrats to two long time members of the association.

Congrats to Piscataway PD Detective T.J. Patel and his wife as they added a baby girl to the Patel family. All are doing well and we wish them the very best.

Congrats to Port Authority PD Sargeant Noble Varghese as he was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Photo: Port Authority Police Lieutenant Noble Varghese.

Congrats again to T.J. and Noble!

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The NJAALEOA wishes Jennifer Davenport the very best with her future endeavors. Jennifer served as 1^st Deputy Attorney General within the Office of the NJ Attorney General. Jen is a down to earth person, extremely knowledgeable with the law, and the government process. Jennifer spoke in terms anyone could understand even with dealing with complex issues. The best of luck to you Jen Davenport.

Photo: NJ 1st Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Davenport seated center among Chiefs of Police and other high ranking law enforcement personnel during a NJAALEOA Meet the Chiefs program.

Next Friday (July 22, 2022)please tune in to the 101.5 Bill Spadea morning radio . Barring any unforeseen events, at around 830-845 AM long time member NJT Officer Brian Lee will be honored during the BLUE segment of the show. Detective Lee recently did some great investigative work to take a really bad guy off the streets of New Jersey. Brian also assisted other departments investigating cases involving this violent criminal. The association as noted many times always wants to hear about the excellent things you do so we can promote excellent police work and also great work performed by our civilian members. Drop me an email [email protected]

Click on Photo to Enlarge

It is with great sadness to state very long-time member and supporter of the NJAALEOA has passed away. I have known this community leader, down to earth person for several decades. I asked Virginia if she could participate in an initiative with the Office of the NJ Attorney General initiative. The initiative is a project when completed will be shown to all law enforcement personnel in the state of New Jersey. The project is in regards to the history of Asian Americans in the US and the history of Asians within law enforcement. Virginia never said no to me before and she didn't say no this time. Infact Virginia in fast fashion became a very important of the project with her vital contributions. I received an email from Virginia a few days ago simply stating if she paid her dues, she wasn't sure. That's Virginia, my friend , my mentor, my advisor, my Coz as I called her so often. A donation to the Virginia L. Ng scholarship fund can be made as noted below. The below message is from the Organization of Chinese Americans, an organization Virgina has led at the local and national levels for many years. Coz, I am going to miss you RIP Bobby

Dear Members & Friends of OCA-NJ,

OCA-NJ Mourns the Loss of Virginia Lou Ng

It is with deep sorrow and regret that we must announce the sad news that OCA-NJ Chapter Advisor, Virginia Lou Ng, passed peacefully this morning. Our grief is buoyed by the legacy she left behind. Virginia was a longtime leader and supporter of OCA-NJ and the entire OCA national organization. She touched many lives through her friendship, her leadership, and her advocacy. She has mentored and inspired so many, and we feel blessed to have been part of her journey. Rest in Peace Virginia, you will be missed.

Please click on the link www.VirginiaNgScholarship.org to visit the Ng family’s memorial page

OCA-New Jersey Chapter Board of Directors

A message from John N. Ng:

"With the heaviest heart I announced the passing of my beloved wife Virginia of 48 years peacefully in the arms and love of her family and friends.

After a hard fought battle she finally succumbed to the aggressive Thyroid cancer. We are glad that the agony is over and she is resting comfortably in the hands of Our Lord.

A Celebration of Life in her honor will be held on July 9th, at the Glen Ridge Congregational Church, 195 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge NJ.

Please RSVP to [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Virginia Lou Ng pdf, Please click here

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

The association is privileged to have many super members. One of our extraordinary members is Edison Police Officer Shirley Dong

Her bio is truly remarkable and an inspiration to every girl/woman considering a career in law enforcement.

Police Officer S. Dong

"I’m a 26-year-old Chinese American female. I was born in Manhattan New York— the youngest of three to two Chinese immigrants. I grew up working in my parent’s Chinese restaurant in Edison, New Jersey. In September of 2012 my dad became a victim of a robbery while delivering Chinese food. The detective who helped my family out was Patrolwoman Lisa Cimmino. Patrolwoman Cimmino was professional and went above and beyond for my family. She even took the time to explain to me why she became a police officer. I saw myself in her and knew I wanted to pursue a career where I get to help and meet new people every day. I graduated high school later that year and enrolled into Middlesex County College. While at Middlesex County College, I became an Edison Police Auxiliary Officer and worked as a Public Safety Telecommunicator overnight, first at Drew University Department of Public Safety in Madison, South Brunswick Police Department and then Edison Police Department. In July of 2016 I got accepted into the Camden County College Police Academy as an alternate route candidate. I graduated in December and was fortunate enough to get hired back as a police officer in Edison, New Jersey— the town that allowed my parents achieve their “American Dream”. I was assigned to the patrol bureau for 4.5 years and was recently transferred to the department’s new Community Oriented Policing Unit. I hope to continue to give back to my community and inspire other females that you can be a 5’2 and an Asian female and excel at performing the duties of a police officer.