For Immediate Release – December 23, 2022
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Mayor Tony Perry performed a ceremonial oath of office for four police officers who were promoted and six officers who were sworn in at the Middletown Township Committee Regular Meeting on Monday, December 19th. Deputy Chiefs Paul Bailey, Robert Stefanski, and John Kaiser applauded all the officers while their family members and fellow officers proudly supported them.
Officer Bios
Lieutenant John Soltysik
Lieutenant John Soltysik has been employed with the Middletown Township Police Department (MTPD) since August 2007. He has served in a variety of added functions within the department, some of which include: Firearms Instructor for all of the weapons systems, Armorer, Field Training Officer, Active Shooter Instructor, Emergency Services Unit Entry Team Member, and Sniper/Observer from 2010 - 2021. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2019 and served in the capacity of Acting Lieutenant starting in August 2022. He has been assigned to the Patrol Bureau for the entirety of his career.
Prior to joining Middletown’s Patrol Squad, Lt. Soltysik served in the Marine Corps from November 2001 - November 2005 as a Rifleman in the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and completed active service at the rank of Corporal. His service in the Marine Corps included Operation Iraqi Freedom I & 2 and Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah in 2004, where he served as a Scout Team Leader. After military service, he graduated with an Associate’s Degree in History from Brookdale Community College and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Georgian Court University. Lt. Soltysik is currently enrolled in a Master Gunsmithing program with the American Gunsmithing Institute.
Lieutenant Stephen Keller
Lieutenant Stephen Keller has been employed with the MTPD for over 23 years. Prior to coming to Middletown, he worked with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office for five years. Lt. Keller is currently the Administrative Sergeant/Training Coordinator and previously served as a Patrol Sergeant for six years. He has served in a variety of added functions that include: L.E.A.D Instructor, a Police Youth Week Instructor, Field Training Officer, Firearms/Rifle Instructor, Crisis Negotiator, and former member of the Emergency Services Tactical team. Lt. Keller received the FBI Trilogy Award Recipient in Leadership and earned his Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Brookdale Community College.
Sergeant Adam Colfer
Sergeant Adam Colfer has been employed with the MTPD since 2005. During that time, he was a Field Training Officer and a member of the Emergency Services Unit. In 2018, he was promoted to Detective and worked on general investigations. Sgt. Colfer also served as a Trustee on the Executive Board of Local PBA 124, as well as Vice President and was a two-term President. Prior to joining the MTPD, Sgt. Colfer served in the U.S. Navy from 2000 - 2004.
Sergeant Erica Weeks
Sergeant Erica Weeks has been employed with the MTPD since 2014 after graduating from the Monmouth County Police Academy. During her time in Patrol, she became a Police Explorer Advisor and a Field Training Officer. She was promoted to Detective and was assigned to the Special Victims Unit and the Bias Incidents. Sgt. Weeks is a certified Cellebrite Operator and Analyst for forensic cell phone extractions. She is a part of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, as well as a Physical Training Instructor and a Tactical Medical Instructor, and a member on the Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force.
New Officer Bios
- Chad Bacek has been a Middletown resident for the past seven years. Officer Bacek, age 21, was formerly a Special Law Enforcement Officer One in Long Branch for two years. He graduated the Monmouth County Police Academy Class 103.
- Anthony Bartolone has been a Middletown resident for the past three years. Officer Bartolone, age 23, served in the United States Army for four years. He was formerly a Special Law Enforcement Officer One in Middletown and graduated the Monmouth County Police Academy Class 103.
- Joshua Chambers resides in Carteret, NJ. Officer Chambers, age 22, is fluent in Spanish and attended Middlesex College where he earned an Associate's Degree in Homeland Security. He graduated the Monmouth County Police Academy Class 103.
- John Foy is a lifelong resident of Middletown. Officer Foy, age 20, graduated the Monmouth County Police Academy Class 103.
- Dana McQuade has lived in Middletown for 16 years. Officer McQuade, age 21, graduated the Academy of Law and Public Safety in Long Branch. She was a Special Law Enforcement Officer One in Long Branch for three years. Officer McQuade earned an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and graduated the Monmouth County Police Academy Class 103.
- Thomas Stone is a lifelong resident of Middletown. Officer Stone, age 20, was a Police Explorer and Special Law Enforcement Officer One in Middletown. He graduated the Monmouth County Police Academy Class 103.
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Photo caption
Pictured from left: Deputy Chief John Kaiser, Lieutenant Stephen Keller, Sergeant Erica Weeks, Officers Thomas Stone, Anthony Bartolone, and Joshua Chambers, Mayor Tony Perry, Officers John Foy, Dana McQuade, and Chad Bacek, Sergeant Adam Colfer, Lieutenant John Soltysik, and Deputy Chiefs Paul Bailey and Bob Stefanski