Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST
First African American police officers promoted to Sergeant in Hamilton
by
Tammy Duffy
Click on this link below to see photos from the event
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.892632617431146.1073741964.218736114820803&type=1
Today marked a historical day in the Township of Hamilton’s Police Department.
Eight Hamilton Township police officers received promotions from Police Chief James Collins and Mayor Kelly Yaede, at an event held at the Nottingham Firehouse. . This day is historical because it is the first time in the history of the township that an African American officer has been promoted to the level of Sergeant. Sergeants James Walters and Sergeants Quincy Hendryx along with six of their fellow officers, Keith E. Layton, Ralph A. Fiasco, Jr, Stephen W. Ligato, , Kyle T. Thornton, Shannon A. Hoffman and Foster H. VanNess were all promoted to sergeant in today’s ceremony.
All of these new sergeants have been serving the township community for many years and received a well deserved promotion. This day was even more special for Sergeant James Walter’s, because it is his birthday today.
Sergeant James Walters’s brother, Colonel Walters from the US Army, could not have been prouder of his brother. He said, “Sergeant Walter’s has been on the force since 1993. He has fought adversity his entire life. He was raised by a single parent. In his youth he got a job at Six Flags in their security department. He was told that he needed to go to college to excel in his career of choice, law enforcement. He took this direction very seriously and has obtained a Bachelors Degree from Glassboro State and Masters Degree from Seton Hall. He is currently pursuing his PhD according to his brother, Colonel Walter’s. Community involvement is a first priority for this new sergeant. He does not consider it just a part of his job, but something he does outside of work as well.”
The Honorable John K. Rafferty shared a wonderful story with me about Sergeant Quincy Hendryx. He said,” I got a phone message one day from a man named Quincy Hendryx who said to me,” You promised me that one day I could be a Hamilton Police officer.” Mayor Rafferty could not recall this conversation. Upon returning Quincy’s phone call, Jack asked Quincy when had he made such a promise?” Quincy replied, “When you came to visit our school when I was in the fourth grade. Can you please tell me what I need to do to become a cop?”
For decades now Jack Rafferty has mentored Sergeant Quincy and keeping him motivated. Helping him get through the grueling process of getting on the force and today becoming a sergeant. Sergeant Quincy is someone who is also actively involved in the community. He believes in giving back and knowing his community in which he serves. In his off hours he can be found mentoring children, teaching them how to read, keep his martial arts maneuvers fine tuned and loving his beautiful family. Jack Rafferty was on the stage with Sergeant Hendryx’s family when he got sworn in today.
Hamilton Township is a township according to the USA Census that has a racial makeup of 78.38% (69,340) White, 11.78% (10,419)Black or African American, 0.17% (149)Native American, 3.29% (2,914) Asian, 0.09% (79) Pacific Islander, 4.27% (3,775).
It’s wonderful to see the police force becoming more diverse with the swearing in of the first two African American sergeants. Today was a pivotal day for the township of Hamilton and these fine men and women will work extremely hard to continue to keep us all safe.
