By linda denicola
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Two new police officers have been sworn in as members of the township police department.
Both officers were hired based on retirements, said Lt. Robert Brightman. He said one officer is a replacement for Detective William Hankins and the other was hired because of promotions based on the retirement of Capt. George Etlinger. One patrolman’s position was open, he said.
The officers were sworn in at a meeting of the Township Committee.
Richard Anthony Dentroux, 33, and Richard Joseph Hudak, 21, are both township residents. Dentroux is a recent resident and Hudak has lived in the township since 1988. Dentroux has a military background and Hudak comes from a family involved in law enforcement.
Dentroux attended Red Bank Catholic High School and graduated in 1988. Since graduating from high school, he attended Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas, and Ocean County College, Toms River.
Prior to attending college, Dentroux volunteered for the U.S. Army and served from 1989-95. While in the military, he earned several awards and commendations. He also served in the gulf during Operation Desert Storm. He left he Army with the rank of Sergeant E-5 and a specialty in electronics.
On Jan. 3, 2000, he began employment with the Manasquan Police Department as a patrolman. He is a certified EMT and has received certification by the Red Cross as an instructor.
Hudak is the son of Edward and Linda Hudak. He graduated from Freehold Township High School in 1999 and then attended Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
His father, Edward, is a captain with the Rahway Police Department and his brother, Daniel, is a dispatcher for the Rahway police.