Over the past decade, Lt. Jeff Wagner has become a cornerstone of the Medford Police force and has dedicated his life to ensuring the safety of the township and its schools.
He has been such a cornerstone that Medford Township Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Del Rossi and the rest of the Board of Education felt it would be fitting to present Wagner with a certificate of their appreciation at the last Board of Education meeting.
“School safety and security is a №1 priority here in Medford. We take pride in it, and a lot of that leadership and direction has come from Jeff working with us as a team,” Del Rossi said.
Wagner began with the Medford Police department as the communication officer in 1990 and became a police officer in 1992.
“Jeff was a consummate professional and was always willing to do anything that was asked of him,” Police Chief Richard Meder said. “He always put the best interest of the township first.”
He also served as a school resource officer, detective and later supervised those units, working intimately with all schools.
His position as the township emergency management coordinator also lent itself to working closely with school officials, giving countless special presentations on drug and alcohol resistance to the students over the years.
Del Rossi could not say enough about Wagner’s dedication throughout his career and his work ethic.
“You show up on our doorstep, and we know what Jeff Wagner is going to show up,” Del Rossi said to Wagner at the meeting. “You’re consistent, your personality is mild mannered, yet your are a police officer in every sense of the word.”
Wagner’s constant availability regardless of the time of day was something that set him apart from other officers.
“With seven schools, we made calls to the police department several times for a number of reasons,” Del Rossi said. “And even when Jeff was not working, you could bet that Lt. Wagner would be here in less than two minutes.”
Wagner has helped pave the way for the school’s exceptional relationship with the public safety department.
Whether it’s legal advice the school district is looking for or it’s an emergency, or it’s medical safety, they are always there for the students.
In a story Del Rossi shared from his days as a principal, he actually tested the response of the police department with a simulated emergency, and two patrol cars arrived at the school exactly 61 seconds after he made the call.
“I can honestly tell you that the Medford Police are our partners,” Del Rossi said.
Wagner was humbled by the reception of the crowd as he received his award with great class and appreciation.
“I have to take the time to thank all the administrators, the principals and the staff in this district,” Wagner said. “They have been incredible to work with.”
He harped on the strength of the partnership of the Medford community, pointing out how most communities don’t have the police, the firefighters, the EMS, the public works, the local school district and the regional high school district working together as well as they do in Medford.
These particular strengths make Medford an exceptionally prepared town that is ready to move forward.
“I can honestly tell you that the Medford district and the Lenape High School District are probably two of the best-prepared schools in the entire state of New Jersey, if not the United States,” Wagner said.
Wagner’s position with the police department will be filled with a promotion from within.
His position as emergency management coordinator was filled when the township appointed Lt. Robert Dovi of the fire department to that post. Dovi was Wagner’s deputy coordinator.
“Jeff will be missed by the police department and the township as a whole. He has dedicated a large portion of his life to the township, and he will be very difficult to replace,” Meder said.
