Retiring Police Sgt. Leaves Bernards Force This Week

Bernards Police Sgt. Joshua Fowler's last day at police headquarters was Wednesday, before he retired after 25 years as an officer for Bernards Township.

Fowler had worked in the traffic division as a officer and also became one of the township's motorcycle officers, according to information from the police department.

Fowler had been appointed on July 25, 1988, Capt. Ed Byrnes said previously.

He was promoted to sergeant and worked patrol for most of his career with the township department. Fowler also was assigned to be the township's traffic sergeant for his last 18 months before retirement.

He also taught the DARE (Dare to Resist Drugs and Alcohol Education) program at the Cedar Hill Elementary School, according to information from the police department. 

Patrol Officer Anthony England, a new recruit hired by the Bernards Township Committee in June to replace Fowler as the department's 38th officer on the force, already was sworn in on July 12.

The Township Committee also voted in June to pay Fowler accrued vacation time of 126.67 hours, for a total payment of $6,946.58.

Base pay for a sergeant currently is $112,062, according to figures from the township.

The committee later passed a resolution thanking Fowler for his years of service on the job.