Police Officer of the Year active in charities
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

The silent buddy with a big heart. That is how many people have described Detective John Roesler, an 18-year veteran of the Woodbridge Police Department.

"This is kind of awkward for me," smiled Roesler as he sat down for an interview with the Sentinel in a conference room filled with toys and coloring books in the Juvenile Division of the police department.

Many of his colleagues and friends have praised him for his generosity and the many hours he has spent on his free time to help others in need.

"I have not met another police officer that has the desire to help and assist people who are in need more than John," said Deputy Chief Philip DiNicola. "His generosity and his commitment of his time and effort to the community are exemplary and should be an example for all of us."

Roesler, who was named Police Officer of the Year this year by the Avenel Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 7164, has coordinated and organized dozens of charities and benefits for fellow police officers and their families, as well as anybody in need, since 1993.

"When my son, Johnny, [who is now 16 years old] was small, he was sick … that is how I first became involved in charities and benefits," Roesler said.

"We were at the hospital, and I said, 'Jesus, all these kids are sick.' "

Roesler, who also has a 16-year-old daughter, Jennifer, and a 7-year-old daughter, Kylie with his wife Lisa, said that is when he looked at his position as a police officer.

He is now in the Juvenile Division of the police department after 12 years in the narcotics division.

"It struck home that I was in a position to do things and help," he said.

The police veteran has been instrumental in volunteering and fundraising with the Woodbridge Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 38 at the annual Hand in Hand Festival held at the Club at Woodbridge. The festival has been providing to the mentally and physically challenged and the general population a chance to interact in a fun, nonthreatening environment since 1973.

"John certainly has a huge heart and is extra dedicated in helping to improve the lives of individuals and families who have been afflicted by sickness and tragedy … what he does is nonstop," said township Municipal Clerk John Mitch.

Mayor John E. McCormac agreed.

"Not only is John a great cop, he's an outstanding community servant … he volunteers for everything whenever someone from Woodbridge is down on their luck," said McCormac, who has known Roesler since 1991.

Roesler said that of all the charities and benefits he has held, the ones that stand out are the benefit picnic he helped coordinate for fellow Police Officer Dennis Sullivan, who tragically passed away in an automobile accident and left behind a wife and two small children, which raised over $34,000 in 2000; the charity basketball game he helped coordinate between police officers and firefighters to benefit survivors of 911 in 2001, which raised over $95,000; and the donation of a paver block patio with electric for an outdoor therapeutic water spa for a child in Port Reading with special needs in 2007.

He also has been instrumental in volunteering and fundraising for the Woodbridge Buddy Ball sports program representing the Woodbridge PBA.

"John has been what we call our silent partner," said Dan Taylor, president of the Woodbridge Buddy Ball program. "The Buddy Ball program would not be the program it is without John.

"He raises money for us, he started a tradition at our Buddy Ball baseball game, where he would give Italian ices out to the kids as they would round second base, he helps and serves food at our annual Christmas party, and he would show up out of the blue sometimes with Italian ices," Taylor said.

On Dec. 20, Roesler came bearing ice cream for the kids during the annual Buddy Ball Christmas party held at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Port Reading. Roesler, along with his good friend James Nolan, the township attorney, and Councilman-at-Large James Carroll, served the ice cream to the kids.

"He's very loyal and generous," said Nolan, who has known Roesler for about 12 years. "He's held many benefits helping many people."

Roesler, with Police Officer Guy Oliveri, is instrumental in coordinating the annual charity hockey game for the Woodbridge Warriors and United Spinal Youth Rangers sled hockey team, which consists of players who have a range of physical disabilities. In 2007, the charity raised over $10,000.

John Eberhardt, director of recreation as well as a coach for the sled hockey teams, who has known Roesler since 1995, said the annual sled hockey charity has raised $3,000 to $4,000 every year.

"He's our silent buddy, the behind-thescenes guy," he said. "He'll come with ice cream and help and serve food at the events … he's just a great guy."

On Dec. 11, Roesler along with members of the Woodbridge PBA traveled to seven homes as part of the annual Christmas Gifts for Sick and Disabled Children within the township, which included the Benshoff family.

On Oct. 21, Kevin Benshoff lost his life in an automobile accident while traveling to work on St. Georges Avenue, leaving behind his wife, Cheryl, and their three daughters— Amanda, 12, and twins Corinne and Carissa, 7. The twins have a severe form of autism.

"After the accident, John went with DetectiveMark Zeno and knocked on the Benshoff family's front door and asked, 'How can we help you?' " said Nolan. "He got contractors together and helped them renovate their home."

Roesler along with Donna Brightman, Woodbridge Housing Authority executive director, and Karen Del Fattore have set up a buffet benefit for the Benshoff family on Jan. 23, 2009, at Ariana's Grand of Woodbridge, 800 Rahway Ave. in Woodbridge. The benefit was inspired by the memory of Colonia resident Mary Taylor, who passed away in July.

Another fundraiser that Roesler has been instrumental in is helping to organize the annual Walk to Defeat ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) with Abby Anderson, who lost her father, Ira, to ALS in 2004.

"We have so much gratitude for John for his effort to raise awareness for ALS and for his loyalty. When he says he promises something, he keeps it," said Anderson, who for the past five years has advocated on Capitol Hill for people with ALS.

"My father was able to make the first ALS walk that we had in Jersey City … it was about three weeks before he passed away," said Anderson. "He couldn't speak anymore, but was communicating by blinking on an alphabet board. His last interaction with John was my father saying 'John is my hero.' "

Anderson said that when John spoke at her father's funeral, he ended it with "No, Ira, you are my hero."

"John met my father when he was a finance adviser at his business on Main Street about 10 years ago … John was actually one of his clients, and they bonded from there … I do believe John looked up to my father as a father figure," she said.

As Roesler reflected on the many charities and benefits he has held, he said it doesn't matter what his problems or day is like.

"Everyone has a bad day and has their own set of problems," he said, "but when I'm volunteering with the kids who are disabled or helping someone who has lost someone, I look at my problems and say, 'My problems are just not that bad.' "