Tim Janas, a member of Troop 35 in Spotswood, spent a year creating a police memorial for the Spotswood Police Department for his Eagle Scout project. A dedication of the memorial, which is located in front of the Spotswood Municipal Building on Summerhill Road, was held on May 13. PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM JANAS SPOTSWOOD — The Police Department has a new police memorial, thanks to Tim Janas and his Eagle Scout project.
Police Chief Michael Zarro said the construction of a police memorial had been discussed for years, but had never come to fruition.
“Tim Janas did an impeccable job,” he said, adding that many people were involved in the process.
Zarro, who oversees the 19-member department, said in view of the turmoil around the nation involving the actions of some law enforcement officers, it is important to recognize those who put their lives on the line every day and remember those officers who have passed on.
The dedication of the Spotswood Police Memorial, which is located in front of the Spotswood Municipal Building on Summerhill Road, was held on May 13.
Janas, a freshman at the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools in East Brunswick and a member of Troop 35 in Spotswood, said the idea for the memorial came from retired Spotswood Police Sgt. Brian Keenan.
“He is one of my dad’s friends,” he said, adding that his grandfather, John Janas, is also a retired Spotswood police officer.
In April 2014, Janas approached Zarro and Police Detective Scott Hoover, which resulted in an outline for the memorial. The structure has a base of red brick platforms topped by an engraved black stone monument, resting on a bed of gray pavers.
“Currently, 11 names are engraved in the stone,” Janas said.
The Scout said when he initially started out with the police memorial, he didn’t think it would be possible to go forward with the project.
“The original cost was estimated at $3,000,” he said.
Janas received help from his father’s friends, including Andy Eisenbrey, who donated his masonry skills and all the bricks.
He also received assistance from Riverside Supply Co. in Sayreville and Clayton Block in Edison for masonry supplies; Shevchenko Monumental Works of Perth Amboy, which helped with the design of the memorial and engraving of names; and Biles Electric of Spotswood, which assisted with the lights around the memorial.
Janas said his older sister, Jodie Janas, an architectural student, also helped with his project.
With his Eagle Scout project under his belt, Janas said he would stay with his troop until he graduates high school.
“We have until 18 years old to complete our Eagle Scout project,” he said, adding that he wanted to complete his project early. “I have been told it is hard to wait until the last minute. There is so much stuff going on when we are juniors and seniors.”
Janas, who has been a Scout since the first grade, said he enjoys scouting.
“I like the outdoors and camping,” he said.
During summer 2016, he is set to participate in a trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, with the Monmouth Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
For more information about the police memorial, contact Hoover at 732-251-2121, ext. 804.