TOMS RIVER – Even after retirement, decorated officers can still get more honors.
In this case, it was Major Albert Della Fave, who was the recipient of the 2020 Former Trooper of the Year Award, bestowed upon him by the Association of Former New Jersey State Troopers.
A statement from Capt. Nicholas Soranno Ret., President of the association, described his career. He graduated with the 102nd New Jersey State Police Class, enlisting with the State Police in 1985. He served in Troops B, C, and E, and became a respected instructor at the State Police Academy.
Della Fave became the Director of Communications of the Public Information Office, “transforming a public information approach from defensive and reactive to engaging and proactive by instituting a first, ‘full-service’ media relations office.” Promoted in 2008 to Major, Al was assigned to the Regional Operations Intelligence Center as Task Force Commander, where he served until his retirement for State Police service on November 1, 2009.
After retiring, he was the Press Information Officer at the NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. He continues to do freelance media consulting for law enforcement executives in the tri-state area.
But it was more than his work history that earned this honor. It was how he went out of his way to help his coworkers and members of the public. For example, he was described as “a driving force” with the Societa’ Madonna Dei Martiri in Hoboken, where each year the Societa’ awards scholarship checks during the event to Community Funds, Inc, an organization that represents 60 residents of Hoboken that lost their lives in the 911 attacks. He’s been an active member of the Pipes & Drums of the Blue and Gold since 2001, is active in the Ocean and Monmouth County 200 Clubs, and has served as a School Resource Officer.
“Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting Al knows him to be a consummate professional and a true, ‘Gentlemen in the saddle,’” Soranno said.
