Prosecutor: Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Harassment, Loses Job

A Long Branch police officer has pleaded guilty to harassment for offensively touching a woman who attended a police promotions party at a city bar back in February, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Thursday. As part of the plea he will lose his job and can never again work as a public servant in the state of New Jersey.

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In Memorium: Lifetime Rumsonite, Vet, Former Police Chief, Robert B. Zerr Jr.

The following obituary was prepared by Bob Zerr himself and dictated to his friend of 53 years, David C. Foster, also known as UD. It was published on the Thompson Memorial Home website.

Robert B. Zerr Jr., a lifelong resident of Rumson, passed away on March 29 at home. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Sharon. He is survived by: his daughter Terri Jo Zerr; his sister Linda Feeny and her husband Vinny; niece Susan and husband Frank Leslie; nephew John Feeny and wife Dianne; sister-in-law Susan Herman and her husband Ronzel; granddaughters Haleigh, Jackie, Lacee, Brandee; and great-granddaughters Macie, Zelda, Emrys, Guinevere.

Bob was known best by his friends as “Bee Zee.” He served with the U.S. Army from 1956-1962, serving 16 months in Korea. He was a life member of PBA Local 345, exempt member of Rumson First Aid Squad, Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association and a member of the Rumson Police Department from 1960-1988, serving the last three years as Chief of Police. 

Those who knew him well would agree that he was a humanitarian, a staunch defender of the right and a consummate American patriot. He also played softball for many years at Piping Rock in Rumson. He will be missed.

There will be no viewing or services. Burial will be private in the veteran’s section of Fair View Cemetery along with Sharon in Middletown, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Assoc., PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to any other disabled Veterans organization. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank was entrusted with his care. 


Focus: Maddy Massabni’s Birthday Gifting

It was a milestone birthday meant to embrace and roll softly away with the tide, the color, the sunshine, the love, the reminder of her …

Twenty-one pink roses in hand, they walked from Maddy Massabni’s home to her favorite spot on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright. They were the loved ones of the Rumson teen who passed away suddenly two years ago on March 30, just three days after her 19th birthday, from toxic shock syndrome.

Maddy would have turned 21 on March 27. That’s why there were 21 pink roses, her favorite. For those who could get to the beach, there was a poem read by Maddy’s mom, Dawn, and a little celebration with hugs, tears, gratitude and a tossing of the roses into the surf Maddy so loved. Out with the tide.

Those who couldn’t be at the beach, celebrated Maddy’s 21st by creating their own home memorials, gravitating to a body of water to signify the Sea Bright spot or just displaying a single pink rose, even giving one to someone to brighten their day unknowingly with Maddy’s love.

In Maddy’s memory, a non-profit foundation dubbed Don’t Shock Me has been created to raise awareness of toxic shock and pay Maddy’s kind spirit forward. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Maddy Massabni! You are remembered.

Take a look at snippets of the celebration in photos from friends and remember … (Don’t forget to click on each to enlarge!)

Prosecutor: Twin Brothers Found Guilty of Disabled Vet Attack

Twin brothers from Monmouth County have been found guilty of aggravated assault and conspiracy to rob a disabled US Army veteran, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced. 

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Scene Around: RFH Show Time

Cast members of the RFH Tower Players’ Addams Family production strike a pose alerting people to their upcoming performances Photo/RFH PAS

They’re creepy, kooky and what’s altogether ooky is that tickets for Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) Addams Family spring musical, which opens on Friday, are selling like the surge of electricity that lights Uncle Fester’s mouth-held lightbulb.

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Prosecutor: Area Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn & Weapons Possession Charges

A Monmouth County man who has a prior criminal record has pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and unauthorized possession of a handgun charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said. 

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