JACKSON – Several township police officers are now wearing more stripes and have new titles following a recent promotion ceremony held during a Jackson Council meeting.
Chief Matthew Kunz provided a brief bio of the promoted officers along with their history with the department. Township Clerk Diane Festino then administered the oath of office to each officer.
“Detective John Rodriguez was born and raised in Staten Island New York, until he and his family moved to Jackson Township in 1997,” Chief Kunz said. “John graduated from JMHS in 1999 and attended The College of New Jersey from 1999-2003 where he studied economics.”
Rodriguez was hired in the summer of 2003 by the department and attended the Ocean County Police Academy, Class #81where he graduated as valedictorian.
“John proudly served the township of Jackson as a patrolman for nine years before achieving the position of detective in 2012. John also maintained a secondary assignment, to the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, from 2008-2011,” Kunz added.
“As a detective John Rodriguez specialized in sexual assault investigations and has brought hundreds of such cases to a successful law enforcement conclusion,” the chief said.
The officer is a recipient of the Excellent Police Duty ribbon, Life Saving award, Good Conduct ribbon, and three citations. Chief Kunz said, “during his tenure, John has also served as JPD’s PBA president for three terms and has enjoyed giving back to the residents of Jackson through a variety of community events and fundraisers. In his off-duty time, John enjoys nothing more than spending time running around and causing general mayhem with his two children Sam and Sofia.”
The detective volunteers as a waiter at the John Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen in Red Bank whenever time allows, and also takes part in a monthly garbage pick-up on the streets of Red Bank. He restores classic cars as a hobby.
Detective Michael Goelz who wears badge #267 was promoted to sergeant. He was born and raised in Jackson Township and graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in 2003. He went on to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice, ultimately obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree from The College of New Jersey.
He was hired by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department in August 2007 and attended the Ocean County Police Academy. One year later, in August 2008, he was hired by the Jackson Police Department.
Chief Kunz said during his career with the Jackson Police Department, “Detective Goelz has been assigned to the afternoon and midnight patrol shifts. In January 2019, Detective Goelz joined the Detective Bureau where he investigated all types of crimes, including fraud, motor vehicle theft and animal cruelty as a Humane Law Enforcement Officer.”
Detective Goelz has been nominated for Police Officer of the Year in 2011 and 2014 and attended Basic SWAT School, the F.B.I. Sniper School, and has been a member of the Ocean County Regional Sniper Team since 2012. He received several commendations throughout his career, including a Life Saving Citation, and multiple Unit Citations.
The newly promoted officer is married, has two daughters and is expecting their third child. He spends his free time with his family, going to the beach and camping and enjoys working on and detailing cars, as well as playing softball for the department’s PBA softball team.
Newly promoted Sergeant George Vidalis was also born and raised in Jackson Township and is a 1986 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School. Following high school, he attended Ocean County College where he received his Associate’s Degree.
Sergeant Vidalis continued his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he obtained Master’s Degree. “He was appointed to the Jackson Police Department in December of 2003 and graduated the Ocean County Police Academy in May of 2004,” Chief Kunz said.
While spending the majority of his time in the Patrol Division, he has also become an active member in a number of specialized divisions throughout the department including the motorcycle unit as well as the Ocean County Regional Special Response Team.
During his time with the department, he has received multiple unit citations, multiple command citations, an excellent duty award, a lifesaving award and a pistol expert award among several others.
The sergeant is also an active member of the community, participating in charity events benefiting worthy causes. Chief Kunz said “he devotes almost all his free time to coach both his boys in baseball and soccer. Although he has many hobbies what he enjoys most is spending time with his family.”
He is married and has two young sons.
Police Officer Keith Uricks was born and raised in Jackson and attended Monmouth County Police Academy in 2007-2008 for the Sea Girt Police Department and worked as a Class Two Police Officer From 2007-2010.
Chief Kunz said the officer “continued working as a Class Two Police Officer for the Ocean Gate Police Department 2010-2012, and then as a Class Two Police Officer for the Mount Holly Police Department 2012-2013.
Officer Uricks was hired full time with Ocean County Department of Corrections 2013, where he worked as a corrections officer for one year prior to being hired with the Jackson Township Police in 2014 as a Patrolman.
Uricks’ career assignments and highlights include: being an Emergency Medical technician for Quality Ambulance Service, a Physical Fitness Instructor at Ocean County Police Academy, a Field Training Officer and a D.A.R.E. Officer.
He is married and has a son.
Officer Matthew Roth was also raised here and graduated in 1998 from Jackson Memorial High School. He pursued higher education at Ocean County College, and then enlisted in the US Army as an Infantrymen, where he was served on active duty for four years
Chief Kunz said, “Officer Roth is a 16-year veteran of the department’s Patrol Division. He is a former member of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and he instructs both defensive tactics and Mobile Field Force for the department.
“He is a recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving award for his drinking and driving enforcement successes, and has received a Unit Citation as well. He is engaged to be married this year to his fiancé Crystal. He has two children, as well as two future step children,” Chief Kunz added.
Mayor Michael Reina congratulated the officers and noted that there would be some new hires announced at a future council meeting.
Councilman Nino Borrelli also congratulated the officers and called upon residents “to keep them in your prayers to keep them safe and secure as they perform their duties 24/7.”
Councilman Alex Sauickie noted that they were all graduates of Jackson high schools. “It is great to see people who were born here, raised here and graduated high school here are still that involved in the township they grew up in.”
Council Vice President Andrew Kern noted that it was also important to thank the officers’ families who see their loved ones serve the community each day and work to make it a safe place to live.
