Howell’s new police chief, Andrew Kudrick, speaks to fellow officers, family members and friends during a Change of Command ceremony June 25. Listening to Kudrick are, left to right, Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Howell Township Manager Jeff Mayfield and Police Chief Ronald Carter, who retired June 30. Below, officers arrive for the ceremony at the Howell criminal justice building. Howell’s first Change of Command ceremony was bittersweet as fellow officers, friends and family members bid farewell to retiring Howell Police Chief Ronald Carter and welcomed Capt. Andrew Kudrick to the position.
The ceremony elevating Kudrick to the position of police chief was held outdoors on June 25 in front of the criminal justice building on Preventorium Road that was named after Howell’s first police chief, Harvey F. Morrell Jr.
Morrell is Kudrick’s father-inlaw.
PHOTOS BY REBECCA CHENG “This (ceremony) is well deserved. It is a tradition we are hoping will stay for a long time,” Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro said.
Presiding officer Jeff Mayfield, a retired Howell police captain who is now the township manager, greeted guests with opening remarks and introduced speakers Mayor Bill Gotto, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, and Morrell.
“You have your challenges, but with those challenges I can guarantee you have the full support of the governing body and we wish you all the luck for all of your future endeavors,” Gotto said to Kudrick.
Carter addressed those in attendance and spoke about the strong relationships he formed during his career and praised the efforts of the police department.
“These men and women served the department well and I am very proud of them,” he said.
Carter presented flowers to his wife, Sarah, and to his administrative assistant, Annette Cotter, who work with Carter for 15 years. Cotter retired on June 26 after 30 years of service to the police department.
Sarah Carter pinned a retirement badge on her husband’s chest to commemorate his 42 years of service to the police department.
When the time came to promote Kudrick, his wife, Barbara, presented the chief’s badge to her husband, assisted by their son, Tyler, 13, and Barbara’s father, Morrell.
“It is very exciting,” Barbara said. “This has always been Andy’s goal and he has always worked toward that. Firefighters and police officers were in attendance to show their support to Kudrick.
“It is overwhelming. I get to see people I have not seen in many years and it means a lot,” the new chief said.
Lt. Thomas Rizzo said he is eager to face the future alongside the police department’s new chief. “We are dealing with the mentality of doing more with less and we have gotten creative. Somebody like Andy has the background, integrity and intelligence to be able to accomplish this challenge,” Rizzo said. “People believe in him and that will transfer into their work ethic.”
Carter said he was proud and hopeful for Kudrick’s endeavors in upholding the police department’s relationship with the community.
“If you look at what is happening around the country toward police, it is a challenge. We have built trust with the community (and) we just need to make sure we maintain it,” Carter said.
Kudrick has been a resident of Howell for 38 years. He initially came to the police department as a Police Explorer, which gives young people a chance to experience what a career in law enforcement would be like.
Kudrick was hired by the police department as a 911 telecommunications dispatcher in 1993 and became a patrolman in 1995. He earned a promotion to sergeant in 2002, to lieutenant in 2005 and to captain in 2012.
“Andy has been involved with us for a long time. He has always been on the forefront of progress. I don’t expect that to be any different. He is a great guy with great skills and he is going to do a fantastic job,” Gotto said.
“I just want to continue the tradition of having a highly respected police department that provides the highest level of service to the community. I have a special place in my heart for this town,” Kudrick said.
Howell High School’s a cappella group Rebel Yell sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by an invocation from Pastor Chris McCarrick.
Patrolman Jason Symons, Patrolman John Lopez and Sgt. Chris Hill planned the change of command event.
Kudrick’s appointment as police chief was effective July 1. A public swearing in ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. July 20 at Town Hall, Route 9.