Camden County policeman Patrick O’Hanlon was honored after being shot in the line of duty in November.
Karen Boneilli, officer John Bonelli, John Bonelli Sr., Deputy Chief David Harkin and Chief Harry Earle honor the patrolman as he’s sworn into the department.
Four police officers were sworn into the Gloucester Township Police department at the Nov. 27 Council meeting.
Officer Michael Miller was sworn in as a sergeant, while John Bonelli, Richard Jones and Matthew Covington were admitted as patrolmen.
Bonelli joined the Gloucester Township Police Department as a class one special officer in 2013 and went on to graduate from the Camden County Police Academy in June. He’s a certified emergency medical technician, formerly serving with the Gloucester Township EMS for two years. From 2010 to 2011, he participated in Mayor David Mayer’s Youth Leadership Alliance.
Jones, also a graduate of the Camden County Police Academy, began his career with the Gloucester Township Police Department in January. Before joining the department, he served in the Army National Guard from 1989 to 2006. He also served as an armed security guard at the Hope Creek Nuclear Facility.
Covington served as a police officer with the Rutgers Police Department after graduating from the Camden County Police Department in December 2013. From 2004 to 2009, he served as a military police officer in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of sergeant, where he received multiple medals.
During the meeting, Covington was also honored with a Gloucester Township Challenge coin.
Miller started his career with the Gloucester Township Police Department in 2002. While with the department, he served as an investigator, acting sergeant and sergeant of police. During his career, Miller earned numerous awards, including merit honor, four distinguished citations, one chief citation and two outstanding police work letters.
With right hands on the Bible, Mayer read the oaths aloud. The men were then pinned with their respective badges by loved ones.
Camden County rookie policeman Patrick O’Hanlon was also honored by Council. The officer was shot in the line of duty on Nov. 1 in Camden’s Centerville neighborhood.
“Patrick, thank you for your dedication to public safety, for your commitment of improving the lives of others and for your bravery,” Mayer said. “We’re so thankful that you are here today.”
Chief Harry Earle granted his personal Challenge coin to O’Hanlon.
The 21-year-old Gloucester Township resident was joined by his father, Joe O’ Hanlon, who reflected on the traumatic evening and expressed his gratitude to the township for its support. The family has lived in the township for more than two decades.
“It hit me, after 24 years of uneventful living, we have witnessed what a community is capable of when it comes together,” Joe said. “Strangers taking time out of their busy lives to say ‘hi’ shows what this township is all about. When you put your differences aside, we all each have each others’ back.”
In other news:
• Council adopted an ordinance on second reading that establishes the salaries of township municipal officers and employees for 2018.
• Council adopted an ordinance on second reading that authorizes a tax abatement between the township and Chews Landing LLC for the property located at 1391–1397 Chews Landing Road.
• Council passed a resolution awarding a contract to the Animal Welfare Society of Camden County for 2018. The AWSCC will provide animal shelter services to Gloucester Township. The business will be located at 125 County House Road, Blackwood.
• Council passed a resolution authorizing the purchase and installation of bus shelters at legally designed bus stops throughout Gloucester Township.
