WHITE TOWNSHIP, [Jan 10, 2007] – A Warren County corrections officer who graduated the training academy at the top of his class was honored for his achievements by the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Corrections Officer Michael J. Rooney won four out of the five awards given in each training class at the prestigious Somerset County Police and Corrections Academy, which he attended last year after serving with the New Jersey Army National Guard in Iraq.

“Officer Rooney achieved an unprecedented feat at the Academy,” Freeholder Director Everett A. Chamberlain said, explaining, “No other police or corrections officer recruit in the history of the Somerset Academy has ever achieved these four awards.”

“We’re quite fortunate to have someone of Officer Rooney’s caliber and qualifications working for Warren County,” Freeholder John DiMaio said.

Freeholder Richard D. Gardner joined Chamberlain and DiMaio in presenting the commendation to Rooney during the freeholder board session. “Hats off to you for your service representing our country in Iraq,” Gardner said, adding, “We are pleased to have you on board in Warren County.”

Rooney thanked the freeholders for the opportunity to serve the county, and to serve the country as well.

According to Warren County Correctional Center Warden Bryon Foster, the 27-year-old Rooney was hired by Warren County in January 2004 and called to active duty with his National Guard unit in June 2004 for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. From October 2004 to October 2005 he was stationed in Iraq, where he served in an air cavalry unit and was in charge of a maintenance unit.

After returning from active duty, Rooney resumed his career in Corrections, and attended to the Somerset Police Academy last year, Foster said.

“It’s really one of the most highly regarded police academies in the country,” Foster said, explaining the Somerset academy has developed a reputation as a leader in providing some of the most challenging, innovative and comprehensive law enforcement training for recruits and for officers pursuing continuing education.

It was in this demanding environment that Rooney won recognition, first being selected as Class Leader, a position that requires taking leadership over and responsibility for the Recruit Class throughout the training cycle. The Class Leader serves as an example to follow during the rigorous training, and helps fellow trainees maintain their morale and determination to succeed.

Warren County Corrections Officer Michael J. Rooney (second from right) receives a commendation from (l-r) Warden Byron Foster, Freeholder Director Everett A. Chamberlain, Freeholder John DiMaio and Freeholder Richard D. Gardner. Rooney, who served with the National Guard in Iraq before attending the police and corrections officer training academy, was honored for the unprecedented achievement of winning four of the five awards given to each class of officer recruits.

At graduation, Rooney received the Academic Award, with a 94.76% average; the Sharpshooter Award, for a 96% score over three consecutive rounds of qualification fire; the Excellence Award, for consistent demonstration of principles of leadership and commitment to excellence during basic training; and the Physical Fitness Award, for achievement of the highest level of physical fitness during recruit training.

The framed commendation presented to Rooney states the officer “has the gratitude and appreciation of the County of Warren for his superlative conduct and performance as a recruit” at the academy.

“He’s dedicated and he’s enthusiastic,” Foster said of Rooney, who works at the county correctional center in White Township. “He’s the kind of person that makes sure he takes advantage of all training that’s given to him,” Foster noted, adding, “We’re proud to have him as part of our team.”