Crime & Safety

Woodbridge Police Welcome Eight New Officers

The new officers were officially appointed on Friday.


The Township of Woodbridge appointed eight new officers on Friday, all of which have completed the state-mandated police-training program and either graduated college or attended college-level classes. 

According to Mayor John McCormac, each new member of the department is a forward-thinking individual who has expressed dedication in becoming a Woodbridge Township police officer and career law enforcement professional.  


The eight officers are:


Police Officer Robert Higgins Jr., 20 of Colonia.  Higgins is a 2010 Graduate of Colonia High School.  He presently attending Middlesex County College where he is pursuing a major in Fire Science Technology. Higgins is also Volunteer Fire Fighter with Colonia Fire Department.

Police Officer Jeffrey Horvath, 24 of Woodbridge. Horvath is a 2006 Graduate of St. Joseph’s High School and a 2010 Graduate of Kean University where he majored in Criminal Justice. Horvath is also a Volunteer Fire Fighter with Woodbridge Township Fire Department.  

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Police Officer Ryan Karabin, 23 of Colonia. Karbain is a 2007 Graduate of Colonia High School who attended Middlesex County College, with a major in Criminal Justice.  He is volunteered with the Colonia First Aid Squad from 2006 – 2009 and currently is a Volunteer Fire Fighter with Colonia Fire Department.

Police Officer Eric Manresa, 28 of Woodbridge.  Manresa is a 2003 Graduate of Woodbridge High School, attended Middlesex County College and a 2008 Graduate of Kean University where he majored in Marketing.  Manresa is also a former Correction Officer with Middlesex County Department of Corrections.

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Police Officer Brian Montalvo, 26 of Avenel.  Montalvo is a 2005 Graduate of Cardinal McCarrick High School. He is a 2009 Graduate of Rutgers University where he majored in Criminal Justice.  

Police Officer Michael Niven, 34 of Woodbridge.  Niven achieved an Associate of Science Degree from Full Sail Real World Education, Florida.  He is a Volunteer Fire Fighter with Avenel Fire Department and a Volunteer EMT with Avenel Colonia First Aid Squad.

Police Officer Anthony Sterlacci, 34 of Port Reading. Sterlacci is a 1996 Graduate of Colonia High School.  He attended Union County College with a major in Architecture and Middlesex County College with a major in Computer Science. Sterlacci is a former Corrections Officer with Middlesex County Department of Corrections.

Police Officer Joseph Wilder, 24 of Colonia.  Wilder is a 2006 Graduate of Colonia High School and a 2010 Graduate of Ramapo College where he majored in Law & Society.  

The officers will be welcomed to the Police Department by Police Director Robert Hubner, Deputy Police Director Joseph Nisky, Captain Roy Hoppock, Municipal Clerk John Mitch, ranking members, patrol officers of the WPD and family and friends.

“These new police officers have demonstrated a commitment to serve their community.  Their training has prepared them for service as New Jersey’s finest law enforcement officers,” expressed Woodbridge Director Director Richard Hubner. “I welcome them to the ranks of the Woodbridge Township Police Department.”


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