Jason Deroian was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, Jeff Pultrone to the rank of sergeant and Timothy Shockley and Fred Scheer as new officers to the patrol bureau.
Four police officers were sworn in at this week’s council meeting, including Jason Deroian to the rank of lieutenant, Jeff Pultrone to the rank of sergeant and Timothy Shockley and Fred Scheer as new officers to the patrol bureau.
Before Mayor Chuck Watson swore them in, Chief of Police Richard J. Meder said a few words on each officer.
Meder began with inviting those in attendance to join him in a moment of silence in memory of all the law enforcement officers, emergency service workers and the men and women of the military who lay down their lives in the line of duty.
He then proceeded by stating that, combined, Deroian and Pultrone have served the community and the law enforcement profession for nearly four decades, and they have done so with enthusiasm and integrity.
Deroian is a Medford resident who began his career in the emergency services sector as a volunteer emergency medical technician with Rowan University EMS. He has been a certified EMT for more than 25 years, with experience as part of the Wall Township first aid and rescue squad and Glassboro EMS.
He attended Rowan University and graduated from the Gloucester County Police Academy alternate route program in December 1988. Upon graduating, he worked as a class 2 officer in Glassboro, transferred to the Gibbsboro Police Department in 2000 as a full-time police officer, where he then transferred to Medford Township Police Department in August 2001.
Throughout his career, he has served in the field operations division as a patrol officer, certified EMT and bike patrol officer. He has been certified in more than 40 areas of specialized training and has been awarded many medals and certificates of merit.
Pultrone was born and raised in Marlton, where he graduated from Cherokee High School in 1992. He attended Camden County College, where he achieved his associate’s degree in criminal justice.
He then started his law enforcement career in Medford in September 1996, after graduating from the Gloucester County Police Academy alternate route program. He has been assigned to patrol divisions and has held positions in EMT unit and as a training officer.
Pultrone holds certifications as a firearm instructor, active shooter instructor and has been awarded numerous service medals.
Meder thanked both officers’ families for the sacrifices they have made over the course of Deroian and Pultrone’s careers, and expressed gratitude toward both officers.
“These deserving officers have exemplified what community policing is and what it is to be a Medford Township police officer,” Meder said. “I could not be more proud to be the chief that promoted each of you, and I am equally as proud to have served with the both of you for all these long years.”
Meder then directed his attention to Shockley and Scheer, sharing that Shockley is a New York native who has since moved to New Jersey, where he graduated from Ocean Township High School in 2007. In 2008, he moved to Burlington County and began a career in EMS. In February 2016, his law enforcement career began as an officer with the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department — where he worked until he was hired by the Medford Township Police Department this July.
Scheer graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in 2011, and went on to attend Montclair State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies in 2015. He is in his last semester of graduate studies at Seton Hall University, where he anticipates earning his master’s degree in human resources.
He was hired by the state Department of Corrections, where he graduated from the corrections academy in 2017 and went on to work at the Trenton State Prison prior to attending the Cape May County Police Academy alternate route program. He graduated from the police academy in 2018, where he was hired by the Medford Township Police Department.
Meder welcomed them by stating to always strive to represent the community, themselves and their families with honor and respect.
“You’re about to embark on a career full of unknowns and challenges, but a noble and rewarding career. We have high expectations of each of you, but are fully confident that you will exceed those expectations,” Meder said. “To each of you, congratulations, I’m very proud of all of you.”
The next regular meeting will be held on Oct. 2 at the Public Safety Building located at 91 Union St. at 7 p.m.
