PARAMUS, N.J. – On Thursday, November 1, 2018, local elected officials and community leaders came together at the Paramus Police Department for a First Responders Appreciation Rally.

In light of the recent Pittsburgh shooting that wounded six officers, the pipe bombs sent to elected officials across the country, and the white supremacist, anti-Semitic hate crimes targeting a family in Hampton Township, New Jersey leaders came together to thank local first responders for being on the front lines and always fighting to keep New Jersey families safe.

Attendees included Josh Gottheimer, Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Freeholders Mary Amoroso, Steve Tanelli, and Tracy Zur, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Paramus Councilwoman Holly Tedesco-Santos, New Jersey State PBA President Patrick Colligan, New Jersey State PBA Executive Vice President Marc Kovar, New Jersey State President Ed Donnelly, and members of the Bergen County PBA, Paramus PBA, Saddle River PBA, Fort Lee PBA, New Jersey FMBA, and Clifton Fire Department.

“As a nation, far too often we forget to thank those on the front lines who sacrifice day in and day out to protect our families,” said Josh Gottheimer. “I was proud to join members of the community to honor and thank our first responders for their bravery and service. In Congress, I will always fight to have the backs of our law enforcement officers, firefighters, and veterans.”

“One thing we know about here in Paramus is the importance of safety, and how important the role our first responders play, in particular our police officers and our firefighters. We’re gathered with them here today to simple say thank you, not just for today, but the 365 days a year,” said Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera.

“Having two guys that have to respond to the call every day, I know firsthand what it feels like when they leave to go to work, and you pray that they come home safe. So I’m just wishing all you guys, god bless you all, please get home safe,” said Bergen County Steve Tanelli.

“First of all, thank you so much for being here with us here today, for standing together as we underscore the need for us, at the county, to have the backs of law enforcement. It is something that, whether it’s training exercises, whether it’s the funding, whether it is the things we can do to show our support, we are there emphatically, because, as Steve said, you are there emphatically for us. Every single day,” said Bergen County Freeholder Tracy Zur.

“For everything that you do –the fact that you run into harm’s way, as we just saw over the weekend, that you take a step further and do whatever it takes to protect us, so I thank our state troopers, all of our law enforcement and officers, our fire first responders, everyone who goes above and beyond to keep everyone in this state safe,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain.

“We appreciate you honoring police and fire,” said Patrick Colligan, President of the New Jersey State PBA.

“It really is nice to come to Bergen County and support you guys, and it’s even nicer, here today, to have you recognize and support us. It means a lot, and I will take this message back to our members,” said Ed Donnelly, President of the New Jersey State FMBA.

The Facebook Live of the rally can be found
HERE.

Below: Local Elected Officials and community leaders gather for a First Responders
Appreciation Rally at the Paramus Police Department