News
Monmouth Beach Honors Retiring Police Chief
By Sherry Conohan
MONMOUTH BEACH - With accolades for his service and a roast just for fun, Monmouth Beach Police Chief Richard White Sr. was sent into retirement at a rollicking good dinner held at the Channel Club last Friday night (Dec. 11).
White, a veteran of 32 years with the Monmouth Beach Police Department, won't actually retire until Dec. 31 and will remain on the job, reporting to work every day, until that date. He has agreed to serve as a consultant, if needed, after that.
What he will do after he steps down remains to be seen. He said he is putting out feelers about possible jobs that would take into account his law enforcement experience, but that at this time in his life he has options.
He said he looks forward to enjoying the next phase of life with his wife, Tracey, her triplet daughters and his sons. Both were widowed before marrying.
White joined the Monmouth Beach Police Department on June 13, 1978, after serving as a patrolman both for the city of Long Branch and at Monmouth College, now a university, in West Long Branch. That was the year that "Stayin Alive" dominated the airwaves, the Blues Brothers debuted on Saturday Night live and Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds hit his 3000th Major League hit.
He was named chief on December 10, 2002, and assumed the post on Jan. 1, 2003. He said that was the most memorable achievement of his career.
"To be granted the privilege of protecting and serving the people I consider my extended family was a humbling honor," he said.Sgt. Thomas Walsh of the Monmouth Beach police served as master of ceremonies for the dinner to the delight of the approximately 125 guests.
Mayor Sue Howard commended White for the job he did and gave him a plaque in recognition of it.
"It's clear he cares a lot about Monmouth Beach and it is evident that his service to the town and people of Monmouth Beach are important to him," she said. "We wish Rich well as he goes off on this phase of his life."
Kim Guadagno, a former commissioner of Monmouth Beach, currently the sheriff of Monmouth County and now the lieutenant governor-elect, recalled how she and White started out fighting but then became friends as she realized he was only acting in the interest of the residents of Monmouth Beach.
"He protects the town. He keeps its secrets. And he does only what is in the best interest of the people regardless of the fallout politically," she said in her tribute.
Patrolman Jeffrey Godwin, the state delegate of the Monmouth Beach PBA Local 332, which White helped found, presented White a plaque in recognition of the job he did and his service to the PBA. White was a former PBA delegate and rose to 4th vice president of the state organization.
For many years Monmouth Beach was part of PBA Local 48 along with Sea Bright and Highlands. Once an independent local was formed, it permitted its members to focus on fundraising efforts solely for Monmouth Beach residents.
Among the guests at the dinner were the chiefs of police of several other towns in the area; Michael Pasterchick, chief of detectives for Monmouth County; White's predecessor as chief of police, Patrick McConville, and Lt. Dennis Cahill and Lt. Drew Winans of the Monmouth Beach police, both of whom are contenders to succeed him.
Mayor Sue Howard has said she expects the Borough Commission to name the successor to White sometime before the end of the year.
White has been active in the community beyond the police department.
In addition to raising a family for 42 years with his late wife, Judy, he volunteered his time to preserve some local history. McConville and White combined forces to promote the saving and restoring of the old Coast Guard Station and former U.S. Lifesaving Station that now is the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, which showcases local and national artist and has become one of the borough's prize assets. The renovated facility opened on May 27, 2000.
"I am very proud to have played a part in preserving a piece of Monmouth Beach history," White said.
Years later, the two spearheaded fund-raising efforts and built a roller hockey rink at Griffen Street Park.
White also was one of the founders of the Monmouth Beach Golf Tournament. Over the years the tournament has given thousands of dollars back to the community. He noted the donations purchased holiday lights, palm trees for the borough beach club, fireworks for Monmouth Beach Day and has sponsored luncheons and theater outings for the borough's senior citizens.
Other recipients of donations from the golf outing include members of the fire department and first aid squad, the library, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the MB Little League.
White also noted that the police, with PBA funding, started the annual end of the year barbeque at the Monmouth Beach School. He said it is intended to foster a healthy relationship with the young people of the community.
"They need to know that we are here to help and that they can reach out without trepidation," he said.
"The greatest frustration as a policeman," he continued, "is the way that law enforcement is perceived through the eyes of our younger people. They feel they are entitled and will not hesitate to tell us they have rights. That leaves us no choice but to follow the letter of the law.
"It seemed much easier," he mused, "just grabbing them by the collar and taking them home to their parents where justice was really served. Somehow, good or bad, that type of justice is missing now."
Asked after the dinner for his take on it, he replied, "It was a blast."
