Cpl. Steven Wolfsgruber (third from left) stood with his K-9 partner, Tyson, as he earned a township proclamation on Nov. 10.
Cpl. Steven Wolfsgruber of the Mantua police department has been honored by the township committee as the Gloucester County officer of the year for 2024.
Wolfsgruber received the honor during the annual county police awards banquet on Oct. 23. He and his K-9 partner Tyson this year made 115 total arrests; 65 narcotics arrests; multiple firearms recoveries; and major drug seizures, according to the police department.
Wolfsgruber was presented with a township proclamation at the committee’s Nov. 10 meeting.
“Cpl. Wolfsgruber sets the bar high and has led by example with his proactive style of policing,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman. “We are grateful for his efforts and thank him and his K-9 partner Tyson for protecting and serving our great community.”
Wolfgruber also got the distinguished service award for apprehending two suspects in possession of more than $75,000 worth of copper wires during a traffic stop.
“Having the Gloucester County officer of the year is definitely a special thing,” said Police Chief Darren White. “Cpl. Wolfsgruber is a hard-working and knowledgeable officer who very much deserves it.”
The corporal was one of many officers cited at the awards banquet, where a number of retired officers were also honored.
“All of our officers who received awards are deserving,” said White. “Despite the nice area that we all live in, our officers respond to and see things that the average person never has to deal with once in their life, let alone multiple times. This is the same for every town around here.
“I don’t think most people realize how much police officers deal with, regardless of the type of town, and how taxing it can actually be,” he added. “These recognitions are a small part in showing that our actions are appreciated.”
The next township committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22.
