Ocean County has a new top law enforcement officer. Gov. Phil Murphy announced that Bradley D. Billhimer was sworn in as the county’s new prosecutor at the Ocean County Court House, Toms River, on Oct. 9.
Murphy nominated Billhimer as prosecutor on Sept. 17 and Billhimer was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate on Sept. 27. Billhimer takes over from Joseph D. Coronato, who had served as Ocean County prosecutor since 2013, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“Brad Billhimer is an accomplished attorney with deep roots in Ocean County, where he has practiced criminal law for nearly two decades and has served as a leader in the legal community,” Murphy said. “I am confident Prosecutor Billhimer will be a strong leader for the people of Ocean County, one who will ensure law enforcement works closely with the community for the safety and benefit of all.”
New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said, “I know Prosecutor Billhimer is focused on addressing the opioid crisis and I look forward to working with him to advance those efforts and other priorities. I commend Prosecutor Coronato for his leadership over the past five years, particularly his dedication and innovation in fighting opioid addiction.”
“I want to thank Gov. Murphy for this tremendous opportunity to serve the people of Ocean County,” Billhimer said. “We face great challenges, including the opioid epidemic that has destroyed far too many lives, but I am confident that working together as residents and members of law enforcement, we will meet those challenges and do what is right to promote safety and justice.”
Prior to being nominated as prosecutor, Billhimer was in private practice as a criminal defense attorney for 17 years. Billhimer is a member of the Board of Rrustees of The People’s Pantry, a nonprofit food bank in Toms River, and also is a trustee for the Community Medical Center Foundation. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Ocean County.