Milestones were celebrated as two top officers and four new officers were sworn in at the last council meeting of the year.
The officers were officially sworn in at the municipal clerk’s office at previous dates, but it has become a tradition to hold a public ceremony to allow families and friends to partake in the celebration, according to Police Chief William Dunleavy.
“Each oath taken is more than words, it’s a promise to serve with integrity, respect and fairness,” Dunleavy said at the meeting on Dec. 16. “To the families and friends this evening, thank you for sacrifices you make and unwavering support you provide.
“Your encouragement and strength for the officers allows them to carry out duties of courage.”
Top officers
Dunleavy and Captain Jeffrey Samalonis were the first to be sworn in alongside their families. Their promotions on Oct. 1 followed the retirement of Police Chief Arthur Waterman in August.
Dunleavy is a lifelong resident of Medford Township and graduated from Lenape High School in 1991, he then went on to attend college at West Chester University and graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
He joined the Medford Township Police Department on Aug. 12, 1996 and served as a patrolman until January 2001 when he was appointed to the position of corporal in the Patrol Bureau, according to information on the department’s website. He served the Patrol Bureau in the capacity of corporal until September of 2004 when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. From September 2004 until August 2015, Dunleavy served as a sergeant in the Patrol Bureau, Administrative Bureau, and in the Criminal Investigative Bureau. The majority of this time he served in the Patrol Bureau as a street supervisor. Dunleavy was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in August of 2015 and serves the department as the Field Operations Bureau Commander overseeing day to day operations of Patrol, Traffic and Canine. In July of 2021, Dunleavy was promoted to the rank of captain.
During his career, Dunleavy has participated in several specialized units. He was both an operator and team leader with the Medford Township Special Response Team; he was a member of the Burlington County Joint Tactical Team and an Operator, Platoon Leader, and Training Coordinator for the Burlington County Southern Regional Special Response Team. Dunleavy is a field training officer and has served as the Unit supervisor since 2000. Dunleavy also serves as the Departmental Training Officer and Accreditation Manager. Dunleavy is a deputy coordinator for the Medford Township’s Office of Emergency Management, and a charter member of the Departmental Honor Guard.
Samalonis grew up in Medford and attended Taunton Forge, Medford Memorial, and Lenape High schools. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in international business from York College of Pennsylvania in 2002. After graduation, he attended Gloucester County Police Academy and graduated in December of 2002. In March of 2003, he was hired as a full-time police officer with the Medford Township Police Department where he was assigned to the patrol bureau. In 2006, Samalonis was assigned as a Field Training Officer, as well as a member of the Honor Guard Unit. In 2009, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau as a detective, and in the same year was selected as a member of the Special Response Team. In 2014, he was appointed as a corporal where he assisted the sergeant with daily patrol activities. In 2021, Samalonis was promoted to the rank of sergeant where he led a squad and was the Field Training Unit supervisor and assistant accreditation manager. In February 2022 he was reassigned as the detective sergeant supervising the Criminal Investigations Bureau. In November 2023, Samalonis was promoted to Lieutenant and oversaw the Field Operations Bureau, and in January of 2025 he oversaw the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Throughout his career, Samalonis has been a member of the Community Relations Unit where he helped organize various community events. He has also earned many awards including two exceptional duty medals, two honorable service medals, a CPR save medal, two Burlington County Prosecutors Office Unit excellence awards along with many certificates of merit and letters of commendations.
New officers
Alex Begolly grew up in Lumberton where he attended the Lumberton School District. He graduated from the Rancocas Valley Regional High School district in 2017. After high school, he attended Rowan University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. During college he played soccer and lacrosse. Before becoming a police officer, Begolly ran a ninja warrior gym for two years. He grew up in a law enforcement community and knew he always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, who retired as a lieutenant with the Lumberton Police Department. He saw the good his father did for the community of Lumberton and strives to become an officer that will do the same for Medford.
Elvin Marmolejos-Valdez was born in Perth Amboy and graduated from Woodbury High School in 2022. After graduation, he spent a lot of time training at a boxing gym. His boxing coach recommended him to enlist in the U.S. Army as a way to instill discipline and have a better life for himself. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2022. He still serves as a reservist as an information technology specialist. In 2024, he was hired by the Edison Township Police Department as a Special Law Enforcement Class 1 and in September 2024, he was hired by the Medford Township Police Department as a full-time officer. He attended the Cape May Police Academy and graduated in June 2025.
Alex Benstead is a lifelong resident of Medford. He attended the Medford School District and graduated from Shawnee High School in 2019. While growing up, he played on Medford Youth Athletic Association (MYAA) sports teams in baseball and basketball. Prior to becoming a police officer, he worked security detail at the Cherry Hill Mall and Lincoln Financial Field. He had the opportunity to work on the Lincoln Financial Field during the two recent Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC championship games. Benstead continued his education at Rowan College of Burlington County and transferred to Rowan University in 2022. He received a bachelor’s degree in law and justice with a minor in psychology. At Rowan, he had the opportunity to intern with Medford police.
Jeffrey Seigafuse grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Father Judge High School. He won Catholic League honors in basketball and baseball. After high school, he attended Gwynedd-Mercy University where he studied criminal justice and played basketball and baseball. He is one of two athletes in Mercy history to win a NCAA title in both baseball and basketball the same year. He comes from a long line of Philadelphia police officers including his father John, Uncle Jason, Uncle Pat, Uncle Joey and his late grandfather Michael. All have either served and still serve the Philadelphia Police Department.
