Six Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Corrections Officers Promoted At Courthouse Ceremony
Published on October 28, 2019
Six Morris County Corrections Officers with nearly 110 years of collective experience were sworn in Monday, October 28, to higher ranks in the Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Corrections by Sheriff James M. Gannon.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Undersheriff Alan J. Robinson, Warden Christopher Klein, Sgt. Brian Kooger, Lt. Andrew Bileci, Captain Anthony Lotz, Captain Michael Morsch, Lieutenant Jay C. Milos, Sergeant David Wasilewski.
You have my 100 percent support, each and every one of you. God bless you, you walk the toughest beat in this county. I'd trust any of you with my life. You will lead this Bureau into the future, a great future, Sheriff Gannon told the Officers during a promotional ceremony in the Morris County Courthouse's Historic Courtroom.
The Officers and their new ranks are: Captain Anthony Lotz and Captain Michael Morsch; Lieutenant Andrew Bileci and Lieutenant Jay C. Milos; and Sergeant Brian Kooger and Sergeant David Wasilewski.
The promoted Officers were surrounded by their families, Bureau of Corrections Undersheriff Alan J. Robinson and Warden Christopher Klein, and fellow Officers in both the Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Law Enforcement.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon at promotions ceremony for six Bureau of Corrections Officers on October 28, 2019.
Sheriff Gannon noted that many of the promoted Officers worked in the former Correctional Facility on Court Street in Morristown that was demolished after a state-of-the-art facility opened in May 2000 on John Street in Morris Township.
The Correctional Facility, the Sheriff said, is now discharging inmates who have greater coping skills and are less likely to re-offend because of programs launched in the facility since 2017.
They include the Hope Wing, which helps inmates receive treatment for substance use disorders, manage anger, learn coping mechanisms and repair familial relationships. A second program, Successful Transition and Re-Entry Program (STAR), assists inmates awaiting discharge with finding jobs, housing, medical and other social services and tracks them for one year so they are not overwhelmed upon release.
In front, Lieutenant Andrew Bileci of the Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Corrections at his promotional ceremony on October 28, 2019.
Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Corrections Officers prepare to be sworn in October 28, 2019 to higher ranks.
The ceremony was augmented by the Presentation of Colors by the Morris County Sheriff's Office Joint Honor Guard and the Police Pipes & Drums of Morris County. Sheriff Gannon administered the oaths of office and presented the Officers with their promotional badges, credentials and certificates.
The promoted Officers and their backgrounds are as follows:
- CAPTAIN MICHAEL MORSCH. Captain Morsch has served more than 25 years with the Bureau of Corrections. He previously worked within the Gang Intelligence and Classification Units.
In 2012, Captain Morsch was promoted to Sergeant, responsible for supervising the Inmate Record's Unit and Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program. In 2015, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Administrative Division, responsible for policy development and agency training.
Captain Morsch is a New Jersey Police Training Commission-certified instructor who teaches and instructs firearms aspects to academy recruits. He is the facility's hostage negotiation team leader.
Morris County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Jay C. Milos is sworn by Sheriff James M. Gannon to the position at a promotion ceremony on October 28, 2019.
Captain Morsch has earned agency awards in life-saving, exceptional duty and Sheriff's achievement, a unit citation award, the Professional Service Medal and Distinguished Volunteer Services Award.
He worked as a Housing Unit Sergeant and a Classification Sergeant. In August 2016, Captain Lotz was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was reassigned as a Shift Commander. His duties as Shift Commander included the day-to-day operations of the Correctional Facility.
- LIEUTENANT ANDREW BILECI. Lieutenant Bileci started his career with the Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Corrections after graduating in 1999 from the Passaic County Police Academy. He worked various positions in the Correctional Facility and was first promoted in 2009 to Corporal and was reassigned to the Administration Division.
In Administration, Lieutenant Bileci worked on inspections undertaken by the state Department of Corrections, American Correction Association and National Commission on Correctional Health Care, as well as reviewed and audited policies.
Lieutenant Bileci was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and assigned as a housing unit supervisor. At the end of 2014, he was assigned to Administration as the Administration Sergeant, with duties that included training, inspections and policy and procedures.
Lieutenant Bileci is a certified instructor with the Police Training Commission. He is the facility NARCAN Coordinator and an Advisor for Explorers Post #140.
Morris County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Corrections Captain Michael Morsch is sworn to his new rank at a promotions ceremony on Oct. 28, 2019.
- LIEUTENANT JAY MILOS. Lieutenant Milos was hired by the Bureau of Corrections in February 1996. Until May 2000, he worked in the former jail before the transition to the new facility. From 2002 until 2005, he was an active member of the Corrections Emergency Response Unit, through which he was trained in situations that included riot control and cell extractions.
Lieutenant Milos was appointed to the rank of Corporal in 2007. Between 1997 and 2007, he worked all three shifts at the Correctional Facility. In 2007, he was appointed to be Security Corporal, tasked with overseeing the issuance, inventory, replacement and removal of all facility keys, and he conducted weekly security checks throughout the facility.
Lieutenant Milos was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February of 2014 and assigned to the midnight shift as a housing unit supervisor and control center supervisor. In April of 2015, he was assigned to days and afternoons and continued to work as a housing unit supervisor, control center supervisor, intake unit supervisor and shift commander at various times.
Lieutenant Milos is the son of Jay Milos, a retired Detective Sergeant and 30-year veteran of the Harding Township Police Department.
- SERGEANT BRIAN KOOGER. Sergeant Kooger began his career as a Corrections Officer in 2006, and graduated the Passaic County Police Academy Corrections Class on July 12, 2007.
Sergeant Kooger has worked in multiple areas of the Correctional Facility, including in housing units, the kitchen and the Intake/Records Division. He most recently was assigned to the Transportation Unit where he was responsible for transporting inmates throughout the state for court appearances and other programs.
Sergeant Kooger has received several firearm proficiency awards and the Merit Service Award. He participates in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run that benefits New Jersey Special Olympics.
- SERGEANT DAVID WASILEWSKI. After graduating Parsippany Hills High School, Sergeant Wasilewski earned a two-year masonry certificate from Morris County Vocational School. He then enrolled in an internship with the International Bricklayers and allied Craft Workers Union. Upon completion of the three-year internship, he earned the status of Journeyman Bricklayer, a title he holds to this day.
In 1995, he became a junior member of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company and in 1997 graduated from the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy where he earned his certification as a Fire Fighter 1. From 1995 through 2005, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Rainbow Lakes Fire Department, where he held the positions of Lieutenant and Captain.
In 2006, Sergeant Wasilewski decided to pursue a career in law enforcement and was hired as a Corrections Officer in 2007. He worked in multiple positions within the Correctional Facility at first, including housing units, kitchen and laundry room.
He graduated in 2009 from the Bergen County Police Academy Basic Corrections Class and received the Bergen County 200 Club Role Model Award. He developed a love for running and has completed three marathons, four half-marathons and runs annually in the Law Enforcement Torch Run which benefits New Jersey Special Olympics.
In February 2011, Sergeant Wasilewski received a life-saving award for his intervention with a female who was trying to commit suicide. He has been a member of the Morris County Sheriff's Office Joint Honor Guard since 2017.