BY LAUREN MATTHEW
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE – Two township police officers were recently honored as the Old Bridge Elks’ Citizens of the Year.
Lt. Robert Weiss and Detective Walter Decker were recognized at a dinner held Feb. 18.
Weiss has been with the Old Bridge Police Department (OBPD) for 20 years. He oversees the department’s technology upgrades and serves as the department’s public information officer.
Weiss is a U.S. Marine, now serving as chief warrant officer with the First Naval Construction Division in the Reserves. He is also an Operation Desert Storm veteran.
In addition, Weiss serves as a commissioner for Old Bridge Fire District 2, and works as the head swimming coach and assistant track and field coach at Old Bridge High School. He is a member of the township’s YMCA Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission.
“I’m personally humbled and honored,” Weiss said of the experience, adding that he was sure Decker felt the same way.
Despite his many services, he described them as “minimal work” to help the community.
“It’s an honor to receive an award from an organization like that,” Weiss said.
He and his wife, Carlene, have two children, Robert and Paige.
Decker has been with the OBPD for 15 years. In 2003, he was assigned to the Detective Bureau’s Criminal Investigation section. From the time of his assignment to the present, Decker has been assigned 37 investigations, resulting in the arrest of 52 criminals. He has also recovered $100,000 in stolen property in that time.
Decker has been recognized in the past by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police for his accomplishments.
He and his wife, Kathy, have two children, William and Nicole. William is a graduate of the Citadel and serves as a lieutenant in the First Calvary Armor Division.
The dinner also honored James Smith, an Old Bridge student and Special Olympics speed skater.