Local Life

Retro Rumson Police Swear-In and Appreciation

The other day was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

In the small peninsula boroughs of Rumson and Fair Haven, the personalized policing approach has always been appreciated. Residents, going back to the incorporation of both boroughs, have always shown appreciation. In a community family kind of way, police know the residents and the residents know them.

Many have been raised in the towns they protect and serve and graduated from RFH. And there are changes on the force from year to year. With those changes come swearing-ins and ushering out with kudos. In 2023, there were promotions in the Rumson Police Department, new officers and the retirement of Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson in September after 30 years on the force and 10 as its chief. Longtime officer Jeff Nixon was sworn in as chief on July 11.

So this Retro Pic of the Day is taking the law enforcement appreciation and swearing in decades back to Walt Pomphrey, Jim Shea and Jim Tanner taking the oath. The year? That wasn’t made clear. But, it’s likely the late 1950s or early 1960s. Anyone?

All three are longtime Rumson names, all probably RFH grads. Can you guess what year these boys in blue graduated? And what rank were they being sworn into?

Have you thanked an officer today?

— Photo/Rumson PD