On Tuesday, April 16, 2018, Chief Joseph A. Michigan and Mayor and Council were proud to name Dr. Caesar DePaco and Deanna DePaco as, “Honorary Police Officers”, of the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, in recognition of their support and humanitarianism. The DePaco’s were also each presented with keepsake shadow boxes which contained embellishments symbolic of the department.
Dr. DePaco is a Philanthropist, a businessman and diplomat from Somerset County. He currently serves as the CEO of Summit Nutritionals International and as an Honorary Consul of Portugal in Florida. He first donated a police dog to the Hillsborough Police Department in 2013. That police dog handler was Christopher Englehart, a 2001 graduate of Point Pleasant Beach High School and former Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II for the police department.
On January 23, 2017 Dr. Caesar DePaco donated to the police department its second police dog, K9 Tyson, who is a German Shephard trained as a patrol dog and explosive detection dog. Chief Michigan stated, “In the post 9/11 world that we live in, as evidenced in Seaside Park in 2016, all agencies must be prepared for a terrorist act. The use of a bomb detection K9 team have proven valuable prior to the many special events we host as well as conducing regular protective sweeps of the our boardwalk and train station. The dog’s presence has reassured our residents and visitors that Point Pleasant Beach Police Department has taken all possible measures to ensure their safety. If it was not for people like the DePaco’s to donate this K9, Point Pleasant Beach would not have the benefit of this added protection.”
Dr. and Mrs. DePaco recently donated $10,000.00 for the purchase of K9 equipment to be installed in a new K9 vehicle being purchased by a NJ Department Homeland Security grant recently awarded to the police department. They also donated an additional $10,000.00 to purchase patrol rifles as well as lights to be mounted on police officer’s handguns.
This department is not the only benefactor to the DePaco’s generosity. Dr. DePaco recently donated two police dogs to our neighboring town, Point Pleasant Borough. To date, the DePaco’s have donated 61 K9 dogs worldwide. In addition to providing police dogs, they have donated bullet proof vests, and other necessary resources to departments in need.
In a speech given by Chief Michigan, he stated, “Caesar and Deanna, although I have certainly spoke a lot of words here this evening, I want you to know that I am incapable of words that would truly express the deep gratitude and appreciation I have for both of you. Your kindness, generosity, and heartfelt gifts have made a meaningful difference to not only my department, but to the lives, safety and wellbeing of the people who live in and visit, Point Pleasant Beach”.
Chief Michigan also presented Owner of Jessifany Canine Services, Jessie Smith with a certificate of appreciation for his assistance to K9 Officers Paschal Drew and Kyle Borturla in selecting K9 Tyson as the second police dog for the department. The certificate reads, “In grateful appreciation for your professionalism and assistance in selecting our police canine for the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.”
