Sheriff Clarke Comes to NJ

Sheriff Clarke Comes to NJ
By Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine

Recently Sheriff David Clarke (Ret.) was in New Jersey as a guest of the Blue Magazine and sponsors Deanna and Caesar DePaço while enjoying camaraderie along with a special dinner at Donald Trump’s Bedminster National Golf Club.

The visit was multi-faceted with a busy three-day itinerary. To meet the DePaços and express appreciation to their generous support of Police K-9 operations throughout the world, become more familiar with some of the officers and some of the sights in New Jersey, and specifically to also learn of the good work of the Avatar Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center which avails itself to a wide variety of individuals including first responders.

Sheriff Clarke got to visit the Paterson NJ Police Department, where he had the opportunity to speak to the administration and some of the staff in the chief's office, as well as the frontline men and women who are assigned to patrol. The police officers in Paterson were enthusiastic to meet him. The sheriff thanked all in attendance for their courage and commitment and encouraged them to keep fighting because without the men and women in law enforcement, the community would fall into chaos. Sheriff Clarke also met the new Paterson PBA president, Angel Jimenez, and took a tour of the police station.

Jimenez took Sheriff Clarke to the Paterson Museum for a private tour, having the opportunity to look at a submarine and some airplane engines that were made. The Paterson Museum is well known for the educational aspects of its interpretive exhibits. A major strength of the museum lies in its varied collections, including local archaeology, history and mineralogy. Paterson has been the birthplace or springboard of many innovators and inventors such as John Holland -"Father of the modern submarine," Sam Colt - who perfected the repeating cylinder revolver, and John Ryle - "Father of the silk industry." Upon leaving the museum, the participants viewed Paterson Falls, which is a historic landmark.

Sheriff Clarke was also taken to meet Pinal Patel, who is the owner of Avatar Rehabilitation and Detox Center in Ringwood, New Jersey, for a tour of the facility. The sheriff met the staff there, including retired police officer from Upper Saddle River, Vinny Syracusa.

Avatar Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Center is dedicated to offering trustworthy drug detox, behavioral, mental, and other special therapies for people suffering from any substance abuse specializing in alcohol, benzodiazepine, hydrocodone, opiates, suboxone, tramadol, valium, vicodin, xanax, and all prescription drug detox. Treatments are supported by multiple mental health and spiritual therapies such as 12-steps, yoga, earthing, oxygen, animal-assisted, wilderness, volcanic, family, group, music, art, and more. A case manager prepares and follows a customized long-term and short-term care approach for each patient.

With 10 acres of beautifully landscaped facility in North Jersey, the center is ideal for rehab treatments. A peaceful, comfortable, and holistic environment is a perfect place to recover from anxiety, depression or any other mental issues. For additional details visit http://www.avatarresidentialdetox.com/

Sheriff Clarke has been a longtime staunch supporter of the BLUE Magazine and law enforcement and we are always honored to be in his presence. Thank you to Deanna and Caesar DePaço for sponsoring these activities.

Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com