Polhemus Has Final Say in Naming New Undersheriff
Death of Wayne Rupert over the weekend created a vacancy in Ocean County Sheriff's Department hierarchy
The decision of who will replace Undersheriff Wayne R. Rupert following his death over the weekend is 83-year-old Sheriff William L. Polhemus' to make.
The sheriff's office is one of three constitutional offices in the state, which gives Polhemus the power to appoint Rupert's successor, county Administrator Carl W. Block said this afternoon.
"It's his sole choice," Block said.
Rupert died at his vacation home in Lancaster County, Pa., Saturday, shortly after he fell from the roof of his trailer, Block said.
"He was out there with his wife, closing it up for the season," he said. "He was doing the last gutter check, she was in the car. They were getting ready to go. The next thing she knew, she hears "Call 911."
An autopsy was scheduled to be performed today in Pennsylvania, Block said.
"We don't know whether it was a medical event or he died from the fall," he said.
The Rupert family has made tentative arrangements for services to be held Thursday and Friday at the Ryan Funeral Home on St. Catherine's Boulevard in Berkeley Township, Block said.
There is no deadline to appoint a successor to Rupert, he said.
In the meantime, Sheriff's Department Chief Michael Osborne will be assuming some of Rupert's duties. Capt. Valerie Hill, who worked in tandem with Rupert on Ocean County Emergency Management Office duties, will continue with those responsibilities, Block said.
"It's always good to have your management team intact," he said.
Traditionally, the "at will" position of undersheriff has gone to a person with a law enforcement background, Block said.
Sean Conneamhe
7:14 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Wayne Rupert was a good, hardworking, and dedicated public official. He is deeply missed.
Dan Mc
9:23 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Michael Osborn a true professional with character and dignity would be an exceptional choice....though the legacy of Wayne Rupert will forever live on !
Carolina Shores
12:30 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Can anyone tell me why 80 something year old Polhemus is still sheriff, other than the fact that voters went down the Republican party line in the 2009 election? This guy wanted to rename the Boulevard in Seaside Heights (where he lives) after George Gilmore's grandfather , not knowing it's a county road. Very, Very Sad.
Eggs-n-Toast
2:04 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
I agree. Seriously, isn't it about time mandatory retirement kicks in... like about 15 yrs ago?? They need to make room for the younger men or women in their 40's who's put in their time and paid their (experience) dues. This isn't " Mayberry " sheriffs shouldn't be over 65, never mind 80+ yrs old.
Carolina Shores
3:57 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Like I said, the Ocean County Voters voted him. Most not knowing anything about him. Pretty sad Ocean County. Keep voting down party lines. The last gentleman to run against him was a great candidate young and an ex FBI agent.
Mac
4:06 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Bill is still sheriff? Huh. I'm pretty sure Bill went to school with George's grandfather, so it was probably a favor for a friend. Bill saw little Georgie and his running mates, Freeholders Joe Vicari and his buddy Jim over at his house all the time playing with his kids after school. Joe always seemed more like a member of the family since he was usually in line at allowance time. That must be when he acquired the urge to make allowances a lifetime habit. Say hello to Bill for me if you see him. He might think I don't care anymore. Apparently, George has been saying some nasty things about me lately. I think George is jealous that Snooki likes Governor Christie more than him. That’s all. I often slip and mention that little no-no. Oopsie Me.
copperpot
4:04 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Keep him in. How many issues or problems do you hear about from OC sheriffs department? It's straight edge.
Eggs-n-Toast
6:22 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Well what exactly does a sheriff's office DO in a town this size with its own large police department? Transport jailbirds back and forth from court? Serve eviction notices? Is it even a vital office or position any longer?
Sean Conneamhe
9:34 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Hey, Franklin Fischer was re-elected County Surrogate when he was DEAD.
Sheriff Bill still has a couple of terms left in him.
Eggs-n-Toast
8:38 am on Wednesday, October 26, 2011
LOL
Resident
9:04 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
I sincerely hope that it will be someone that comes up from the ranks and not a political hack. Some rumors of a Freedholder vying for the position. God no!
Mac
10:04 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Is there nothing that Freeholder Joe Vicari won't do in his quest for a lifetime of pension payments at a million dollars per year? Knowing that his time is up in his former lifetime careers as both the freeloader of the most public benefits and allowances in the county and as the oldest wallpaper design at Central Regional, he has tried to create a full-time no-show position on the Board of Public Utilities for himself and a management job at JCP&L as CFO. (He's still waiting for the CEO of JCP&L to take his call on those matters. However, in his thirty-odd years on the Ocean County Board of America's Most Successful & Oldest Freeloaders, he is very talented at waiting on hold on the phone. His buddy Carl trained him very well in this procedure. Just ask the little drummer boy, Georgie.) Perhaps the undersheriff is the perfect place for Joe after all. Joe is keenly aware of how the Ocean County voters are fond of electing dead people to office, and as the undersheriff, Joe is responsible for seeing to it that the sheriff gets in the required firing range practice. And if the sheriff makes a little 'oopsie', Joe can continue to be re-elected forever. Finally, we get our money’s worth out of Joe. And his buddy, Freeloader Jim, gets to move his throne to the front seat of the car. (Shotgun, I hope.) Jim’s the head of the road department, you know. And he’s very good at steering to the right. However, if you are on his left, pray.
JOHNNY Done it
9:52 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Now what would they know about law enforcement or just had to circumvent it...It amazes me how many jobs thet have..they shouldnt be sleeping run from on job to another yea right,, .. Just dont show up & still get paid Is that not called stealing? how many jobs do us People can work, not counting family affairs.in one day
1stcav
1:26 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wrong Freeholder, try again !!
Mac
2:45 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Oops. Sometimes we're a little slow down here in the backwoods. However, we try to make up for it by believing that if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Maybe some enlightenment on the correct Freeholder would be a nice place to start. It's not often a position opens up on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders. I wasn’t aware that there were going to be two openings. I reckon I was inclined to go with the first vacancy that I knew was available. After all, it’s only 12 days away. Sorry.
Sean Conneamhe
10:47 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Rest in peace, Wayne.
You are remembered as a good man, a good undersheriff, a good Republican, and, most of all, a good emergency management director who tirelessly helped save lives and property during severe weather conditions.
God bless you and your family.