That he really is! Yes, North Bergen Police Chief William Galvin really is down-to-earth. He sincerely smiles, but under that regular guy image is one true career policeman!
Born in Astoria, Queens, Police Chief Galvin was raised in North Bergen and is a lifelong resident. A graduate of North Bergen High School, he achieved a bachelor of arts degree in criminology in 1976. Always wanting to enter law enforcement, he took the test for policeman in 1977, passed the state exam, and was hired as a patrolman in 1978. The following year he was named the “Safe Streets Officer of the Year,” after first graduating from the Bergen County Police Academy in 1978.
He dutifully served eight and one half years as a patrolman. Taking further state exams, he became a police sergeant in 1986/1987, and became a police lieutenant in charge of special investigations in 1988. In 1997 he became the police captain, but he did not stop there, because in 2005, he finally became the North Bergen Township police chief after 28 years of service on the police force. Truly, Police Chief Galvin has been and is a law enforcement professional!
Chief Galvin tells us that his father William and mother Catherine live in North Bergen and his sister Kathleen is a North Bergen school system teacher. Another sister, Eileen, is now deceased. Chief Galvin is married to his lovely wife Adamarys and has a stepson Nicholas, and two stepdaughters Cassandra and Caitlyn. Chief Galvin also has a daughter from a previous marriage named Jennifer, who is also a North Bergen school system teacher.
Presently, Chief Galvin is the vice president of the Hudson County Police Chiefs Association, a member of the State Police Chiefs Association, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and of the Jersey City Emerald Society.
Having received many police work awards, one award he is proud of is the New Jersey Honor Legion Award. Chief Galvin freely admits that becoming a policeman was the result of mentoring by family and friends, too, and this all helps in the process of becoming what you want to be in your professional life and career.
Away from his police work, Chief Galvin likes the New York Yankees and the Buffalo Bills. He also likes all types of music, namely classical, opera, Jazz, and hard rock. He is also a car enthusiast, as he likes classical and vintage model cars. He likes to travel, and has traveled cross-country USA, up and down the East Coast, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Dominican Republic, and to Italy, France, and Germany. He also likes to get involved with his children regarding their school work and athletics. He also likes to look at old photographs of times and eras gone by, and has an interest in historic preservation of old buildings. He also likes to read about the history of the metropolitan area, and the history of baseball.
Chief Galvin speaks respectfully of his grandfather John Henwood, age 92, also of North Bergen, and his now deceased grandmother Helen. Chief Galvin does not lack for fans within his department. Captain Robert Dowd says that over the past five years Chief Galvin has computerized the department and also professionalized it. Under his leadership, there has been a 22.8 per cent decrease in crime in the township, and started an “Officer of the Month Club,” and departmental morale has been raised. Detective Henry Marrero added that Chief Galvin has been very fair with everyone, and has brought the Township Police Department into the 21st Century with new innovations! Thus the department with happy campers such as these will continue to strive for the citizens they serve. Police Chief William Galvin, all the best! …
St. Dominic Academy of Jersey City alumnus Caitlin Pereiras of Union City qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award on all AP Exams with a grade of 3.5 or better. Congratulations! …
Jessica Mora of Secaucus was inducted into the Rho-Rho Chapter of the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, at New Jersey City University in Jersey City. Best wishes! …
United States Army National Guard Private Alex N. Velazquez has recently graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, in Lawton, Okla. Private Velazquez is a nephew of Rosa Almonte of West New York. Best of luck! …
We hear that Guttenberg’s Athletic Living Legend Brian Graschino, who is also the Chairman of the Town’s Planning Board, has been shadowing his old college buddy and friend West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega, around the WNY area. Catching-up on old sporting news like “track”, etc., we also hear. They may be getting older, but the sport of track is in their blood, and the old times are always the best of times, to share memories about. Keep stepping onward! …
Readers, Weehawken Township has always held historical wonder for this columnist. As a youth, I used to climb the Kings Bluffs, even though I was not a resident of the township. Weehawken always held a lore of history for me. Well, on their website, and reading from their Time Machine Keeper Al Berg, even more of Weehawken comes to light. For history buffs, check it out, their 150th Anniversary history series will delight your interest in local history. Good going Mayor Richard Turner! …
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, photographs, along with your name, address, and telephone number to: Matthew Amato, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, N.J. 07030. Thank you!