HISTORY OF THE SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ellsworth Lutz : (1927 – 1935)
Shortly after the incorporation of the Borough of Spring Lake Heights in 1927, the Spring Lake Heights Police Department was formed. At that time, the police department consisted of one man, Ellsworth Lutz. Mr. Lutz was appointed as the first Spring Lake Heights Police Chief and also served as town constable. Chief Lutz received no compensation for his service to the borough and was required to use his personal car, a souped-up Model A coupe, for patrol as the borough did not have a police car at that time. In addition to serving as Chief of Police, Chief Lutz’s duties also included being in charge of the Department of Public Works. Chief Lutz retired in 1935.
Gustav Quenzer : (1935 – 1957)
In 1935 Gustav Quenzer was appointed as Chief Lutz’s successor. Chief Quenzer would serve as the Borough of Spring Lake Heights’ Police Chief for 20 years until his retirement in 1957. During his tenure Chief Quenzer established the department’s motor vehicle fleet by purchasing a 1937 Pontiac and placing that vehicle equipped with a red light, siren and one-way radio receiver to monitor the county radio system into service. Police Department dispatch duties were handled by Chief Quenzer’s wife, who answered department phone calls in their home and provided messages for officers when they called in. Chief Quenzer served as President of the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police Association in 1948.
George Newman : (1957 – 1968)
Following the retirement of Chief Quenzer in 1957, George Newman was appointed as Spring Lake Heights’ 3rd Chief of Police. Like Chief Quenzer’s wife, Chief Newman’s wife Ethel also answered calls and handled dispatch duties until 1963 when the department began operating as a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year operation at which time civilians were hired to work the dispatch desk. In addition to the civilian dispatchers, the department consisted of 8 full-time officers and 5 “special officers” at the time of Chief Newman’s retirement in 1968.
Robert Worthington : (1968 – 1983)
Robert “Bob” Worthington succeeded Chief Newman and was appointed the Borough of Spring Lake Heights Chief of Police in June of 1968 and served in that role through 1983. Chief Worthington’s tenure was marked by the not only the growth of the borough but by the growth of the department as the department’s police force grew to 11 full-time officers with police headquarters being remodeled several times with the advancements of radio, telephone and teletype systems. The department’s vehicle fleet also grew to three marked and one unmarked police cars. Chief Worthington served as President of the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police Association in 1973.
William Fury : (1983 – 1995)
In 1983 William “Bill” Fury took over the department and in September of that year the department moved into a new facility which included a state-of-the-art computerized records systems, the installation of a facsimile machine and an upgraded radio system that featured individual portable radios and pagers for each officer. Education was the theme of Chief Fury’s tenure of command. For the students of the Spring Lake Heights Elementary School an emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian safety and a spotlight on drug education was the priority.
Chief Fury also advocated for continuing education for the officers under his leadership. Chief Fury’s dedication to the advancement of education was highlighted by his 1970 election to the Spring Lake Heights Board of Education and his service as the Board’s President in 1980. At the time of his retirement the Spring Lake Heights Police Department consisted of 13 full-time officers. Chief Fury served as the President of the Monmouth County Chief’s of Police Association in 1990.
Vernon Henderson : (1995 – 2002)
Vernon Henderson was appointed to be the Spring Lake Heights Police Department’s 6th Chief of Police in 1995. Like his predecessor, Chief Henderson’s priority was the education and training of the officers in his charge. All officers were trained in First Aid and C.P.R. and the Spring Lake Heights Police Department was the first police department in New Jersey to have all of its patrol vehicles equipped with A.E.D.’s (Automated External Defbrillators). In addition to assigning officers to the school, Chief Henderson also assigned officers to coordinate activities and training with the senior population in town. Chief Henderson was the founder and coordinator of the Monmouth County S.C.A.R.T. (Serious Collision Analysis Response Team) and was the coordinator of the Monmouth County D.W.I. Strike Force. Chief Henderson served as the President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and was a member of the D.A.R.E. New Jersey Board of Directors. Chief Henderson retired in 2002.
Mark Steets : (2002 – 2009)
In 2002 Mark Steets became Spring Lake Heights’ next Chief of Police. Chief Steets’ term was noted for the formation of the Spring Lake/Spring Lake Heights Joint Dispatch Authority (J.D.A.) Police, fire and first aid dispatching services for the Borough of Spring Lake Heights were managed by the J.D.A. out of the Spring Lake Police Department. Chief Steets attended the F.B.I. N.A.
David Petriken : (2009 – 2018)
Following the departure of Chief Steets in June 2009, David Petriken was named Chief of Police and served until 2018. Under Chief Petriken’s direction, the Spring Lake Heights Police Department became the 3rd Monmouth County Police Department to endorse Project Medicine Drop when a prescription drop box was installed in the department’s lobby in 2013. Since the installation of the drop box, approximately 1200 pounds of unused medication has been deposited in the drop box and destroyed averting the potential for the misuse and abuse of dangerous prescription medication.
Edward Gunnell : (2018 – )
The Spring Lake Heights Police Department is currently led by Chief Edward W. Gunnell. Lt. Gunnell was appointed as Acting Chief of Police on July 2, 2018 following the announcement of Chief Petriken’s retirement from the department. Chief Gunnell took the oath of office and was sworn in as Spring Lake Heights’ 9th Chief of Police on January 1, 2019. Under his leadership Chief Gunnell has established the mission of the department to provide to the residents of Spring Lake Heights with high quality professional law enforcement services in an ethical, effective and customer-oriented manner. The department is currently comprised of 15 full-time officers including 4 three officer squads and a full-time detective. The department’s vehicle fleet includes 5 marked patrol cars, 1 unmarked traffic safety patrol car and two unmarked cars. The department is currently working towards Accreditation status with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
On March 19, 2020 the Spring Lake Heights Police Department earned “Accreditation” Status through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
To submit additional information and/or photographs related to the History of the Spring Lake Heights Police Department please submit all artifacts and information to:
Patrolman Connor Bokop
S.L.H. Police Department Website Coordinator
(732) 449 – 6161 (ext. 4937)
[email protected]