August, 2020 - Morris County Prosecutor's Office

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Participates in Overdose Awareness Day

August 31, 2020

On Monday, August 31, 2020, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury spoke at the 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Day and memorial tree dedication held outside of the Morris County Human Services Department.

Under the leadership of Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has partnered with numerous agencies and remains committed to fighting the opioid epidemic.

CAP Seabury joined other speakers Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, State Senator Anthony Bucco, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Freeholder Director Deborah Smith, Peer Recovery Specialist for CARES – Prevention is Key, Kelly LaBar, Morris Alliance co-founder Kathleen Hyland and Carol Egan of Global Recovery Movement, who all highlighted the collaborative efforts and programs working to curb opioid addiction and provide paths to recovery within Morris County. Other speakers included Pastor Sidney Williams, Rabbi Mendy Herson, and Rebecca Finnerty, who shared her experience as a mother who lost a child to an overdose.

CAP Seabury highlighted Prosecutor Knapp’s initiation of the Countywide Narcan program in 2015, which has enabled Morris County law enforcement to save 850 overdose victims to date. Through effective prevention, treatment and enforcement, CAP Seabury recognized Morris County’s collaborative approach of treating substance use disorder as a disease.

CAP Seabury said “Since 2014, we’ve lost over 450 individuals in Morris County to drug overdoses. Think of the ripple affect their unnecessary, untimely deaths have had on their families and friends. It is critical that we pause on this day and recognize what is happening. From a law enforcement perspective, we dread seeing families destroyed by this disease. We will continue to fight to save lives, through programs like Operation Helping Hand, making arrests not with the goal of putting people in prison, but instead, steer them to treatment.”

Prosecutor Knapp said “Every day, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office stands with our law enforcement and treatment partners to fight this scourge. Through education, enforcement and treatment, it is our goal to stem the tide of addiction.”

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held every year to spread the message that overdose deaths are preventable.

At podium: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury.

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp Announces Retirement

August 28, 2020

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announced today that he is retiring from his current position which he has held since 2012. His last day as Prosecutor will be October 13, 2020, with his retirement effective November 1, 2020.

Prosecutor Knapp was appointed Acting Morris County Prosecutor on December 14, 2012 by then Governor Chris Christie. After serving in that capacity for approximately 18 months, Knapp and five other prosecutors were confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on June 27, 2014.

In his letter to Governor Phil Murphy, Prosecutor Knapp stated: “Please accept my thanks and appreciation for allowing me to serve as Morris County Prosecutor. Having served the people of Morris County and the State of New Jersey has been the highlight of my professional career for which I will be forever grateful to you and to former Governor Chris Christie.”

During his tenure as Prosecutor, Knapp served as President of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey (CPANJ) for the year 2018.

On February 11, 2018, Prosecutor Knapp was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Sentencing Review and Revision Commission which has issued a report and recommendations to remedy disparities in sentencing, many of which are contained within proposed legislation pending before the Legislature.

On June 8, 2017, Knapp was named “Prosecutor of the Year” by the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association.

On March 18, 2020 the New Jersey Bias Crime Officers Association presented Prosecutor Knapp with their “Visionary Leadership Award”.

Prosecutor Knapp has served as a Commissioner of the New Jersey Police Training Commission since January 2017 as the delegate of the CPANJ.

Knapp stated: “I am exceedingly proud of the men and women of the MCPO with whom I have served. All are law enforcement professionals singularly dedicated to doing justice. It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have led the MCPO and these outstanding public servants. They often perform incredibly brave and selfless acts in the line of duty, unrecognized by the public, for which they should all be commended.

“I plan to relax and spend more time with my family, especially my grandson, in the coming months and to pursue other professional endeavors.”

Morris County Prosecutor Announces New Hire

August 25, 2020

August 24, 2020

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez announces the hiring and swearing in of Taylor S. Sharofsky as an Assistant Morris County Prosecutor.

Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky was officially given her oath of office on August 24, 2020 by the Hon. Thomas J. Critchley, Jr., Criminal Division Judge.

Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky will be assigned to the Pre-Trial Services Unit. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University, and graduated from New York Law School following her undergraduate studies.

Prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a Legal Assistant, Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky worked as a Law Clerk for the Appellate Division and Superior Court, Criminal Division, Morris/Sussex Vicinage.

Prosecutor Knapp said, “We are excited to have Assistant Prosecutor Sharofsky join our team of Assistant Prosecutors here at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. I am confident that she will serve honorably and will benefit the residents of Morris County.”

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at [email protected] or by phone at 973-829-8159.

Left to right: Hon. Thomas J. Critchley, Jr., Assistant Prosecutor Taylor S. Sharofsky, and Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp.

Left to right: Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Assistant Prosecutor Taylor S. Sharofsky.