By Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
A recent promotion within the Hillsborough Police Department was described as “a little bittersweet” by its recipient, as township officials and law enforcement officers remembered the loss that created the vacancy in the first place., During the Jan. 24 township committee meeting, officials approved a motion to promote Cpl. Mark Szymanski to the rank of sergeant., Police Chief Darren Powell said Sgt. Szymanski was a natural fit for the promotion, given his experience working in the department as an instructor and leader., “Sgt. Szymanski is a veteran of the police department,” Chief Powell said. “I think he’s a great officer and an asset to the department.”, Since he joined the Hillsborough Police Department in 1997, Sgt. Szymanski has worked in “several divisions within the department,” Chief Powell said. His most recent assignment was as a detective corporal in the juvenile bureau. He is also one of the department’s lead firearms instructors., As a result of his promotion, Sgt. Szymanski will receive an annual salary of $121,719., Though officials said his promotion was well deserved, the vacancy that allowed for Sgt. Szymanski’s move up was created after the sudden death of Sgt. Frederick Robert Wacker III on Saturday, Nov. 19., Sgt. Wacker, who had served on the Hillsborough police force for 18 years, passed away from an apparent heart attack, according to the Hillsborough Township Policemen’s Benevolent Association No. 205., Sgt. Wacker is survived by his wife of 15 years, Jennifer (nee Garthwaite), his sons Jeremy and Dominic, his parents Frederick and Deborah Wacker Jr., of Roselle Park, his paternal grandmother Josephine Wacker, of Forked River, and his maternal grandmother Grace LaMonaco, of Roselle Park., “This is a little bittersweet. The promotion came with a great loss to the department,” Sgt. Szymanski said, his voice at times quivering with emotion. “He was a good sergeant, a good officer and a great friend. He will be missed.”, Though the vacancy was created by Sgt. Wacker’s passing, Chief Powell said Sgt. Szymanski will not directly fill his role as the Sergeant-in-Charge of the traffic safety bureau, since another sergeant has already been moved to fill that position., As the department’s newest sergeant, Sgt. Szymanski will start as a frontline supervisor for the patrol division., “The reason (Sgt. Szymanski)he made it is because of his performance in a number of categories and his leadership qualities,” Chief Powell said. “I have every bit of confidence that he will serve the department well.”
