Township Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey T. Fulcher reacts as an unassuming neighbor to people who may not know him personally, but under that façade lies a very alert guardian of the people!
Born in Jersey City, Deputy Chief Fulcher was raised in Weehawken, and for a time in Queens, then back to Weehawken, again. He graduated from Weehawken High School in 1973 and attended the University of Arizona in 1974, where he studied astrophysics.
Coming back to Weehawken, he became interested in law enforcement. He became an employee of the Square “D” Electrical Company in Secaucus as an assistant electrician while waiting to enter the township police force. He was hired into the Weehawken Police Department after passing the New Jersey State Civil Service Examination, and also graduating from the Union County Police Academy in 1980.
He began as a patrolman. Then between the years of 1989 to 2004, after passing all the necessary examinations, he worked his way up to sergeant, lieutenant, and captain within the department, and also went back to college. He achieved a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from New Jersey City University in Jersey City, and was promoted to acting deputy police chief. In 2007, he was appointed as the full deputy police chief in charge of operations and emergency management by Mayor Richard Turner.
He has also achieved accreditations within his profession along the way such as: State of New Jersey Certified Police Instructor, in the area of specialty of firearms, tactics, and use of force; a Certified N.J. State Police Computer Terminal Access Coordinator; and a Certified Emergency Manager- F.E.M.A./N.J. State Police! He is also a member of the Hudson County Chiefs of Police Association, and the N.J. State Policemen’s Benevolent Association! As of this month of February, 2010, Deputy Police Chief Fulcher is now a 30-year veteran of the Weehawken Police Force!
The Weehawken Police Department does not have a chief of police, and instead has two deputy chiefs. The other Deputy Chief is William McLellan, who is in charge of administration.
Deputy Police Chief Fulcher tells us that he comes from a railroad-professional family, and that his father Donald and his mother Barbara are now both deceased. He has a sister Maureen who lives in Ocean County and another sister Nancy who lives in the state of Virginia.
Deputy Chief Fulcher also tells us that in high school he played tennis and soccer, and photography is one of his hobbies. In his spare time he practices the Japanese Martial Art of Swords, called Laido, and likes to drive his Harley Davidson motorcycle on weekends. He also likes science fiction movies, enjoys the Hudson River Valley for day-tripping, loves history, and is a member of the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation.
Moreover, even though he is of Scottish/Irish/English/and German heritage, he likes Latin music and loves to dance Salsa with his lovely girlfriend Blanca Rodriguez of West New York. He also likes modern and classical jazz music. As for exercise, he is a member of a local gym, but loves to walk, and walks with his Newfoundland dog “Midnight” as they both walk the Weehawken neighborhoods. And he carries a police radio with him at all times, which is necessary for police protection needs. He knows his neighbors on a first-name basis! True neighborhood guardianship!
Deputy Police Chief Fulcher also likes to visit museums, and reads up on astronomy for all the latest findings! He is also a member of the Blue Knights International Motorcycle Club, a charity organization that collects toys for children in hospitals. He has been involved with “Read Across America,” and has received awards from children’s organizations. He also fondly remembers being the very first recipient of the “John Stambler Police Scholarship Award” years ago, which helped pay for his college tuition! Readers, it took me a year to get this interview-story, but it was well worth the time and effort. Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Fulcher, all the best!…
Executive Director Dr. Nicholas Cicco of the North Hudson Regional Council of Mayors, based in Union City, tells us that the current chairman of the board is Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff, and that the chairmanship does change hands, and thus everybody gets a chance at the chair! Dr. Nicholas Cicco is now a semi-retired chiropractor, and is a former Guttenberg town mayor! The Council of Mayors was founded by Nicholas Mastorelli decades ago, and Mr. Mastorelli is currently the deputy mayor for the City of Union City. Time goes by quickly! By the way, Janice Mastorelli, Nick’s lovely wife, is slowly recuperating at home from an illness, and is feeling better as days go by. Get better sooner!!!
Secaucus residents Johan Zafra, Leah Wang, Marc Schlemm, Megan Reiner, Richard Parrales, and Sandra Wilstermann, were all named to the Dean’s List at the Hudson County Community College, while Christopher Gregory was named to the Dean’s High Honors List at Connecticut College, state of Connecticut. Congratulations! …
Reverend Manuel D. Rios, Pastor of Saint Rocco/Saint Brigid Roman Catholic Parish, situated in Union City and North Bergen, has been appointed to a second six-year term as pastor, announced Archbishop John J. Myers, of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. Best wishes Reverend Rios! …
And so it goes … until next time… see you around town …Matt.
***Please Note:
*Readers who would like to contribute to this column can do so by mailing your news items and photographs, along with your name, address, and telephone number to: Matthew Amato, columnist, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Thank you!*