Seven days shook the Passaic County Sheriff's Office: What comes after Berdnik's death? (2024)

3-minute read

Joe Malinconico| Paterson Press

The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office somehow managed to avoid the myriad problems that plagued the Paterson Police Department during the past six years.

In that time, 12 Paterson cops were convicted or charged with various crimes while several dozen other officers were involved in disputed police shootings and assaults, cases that prompted social justice activists to accuse Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes of allowing misconduct to continue unabated.

Eventually, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office intervened in dramatic fashion last March by seizing control of the Paterson Police Department.

Through all that, Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik and his department seemed unscathed, running a jail, providing courthouse security and conducting investigations and patrols with minimal public criticism and controversy.

But everything changed in a span of seven days.

A January storm consumed the Passaic County Sheriff's Office

The storm started with the FBI's arrests of three corrections officers at the Passaic County Jail on Jan. 17. That was followed the next day with the announcement of impending officer layoffs, and it all culminated in Berdnik’s stunning apparent death by suicide on Jan. 23, when he reportedly shot himself in the bathroom of a popular Clifton restaurant where he had dined countless times before.

Political friends and law enforcement colleagues are still searching for an explanation for what could have driven a man who stood as a pillar of the community for more than four decades to take his own life, just minutes after smiling for a photo with the restaurant’s owner.

Meanwhile, questions loom about the future of the Sheriff’s Office, involving issues that go beyond the perplexing personal tragedy of Berdnik’s death:

Layoffs at the Passaic County Jail

First, there are the looming 29 layoffs, a result of the planned demolition of the jail that stood like a fortress in downtown Paterson for more than half a century. In a cost-cutting move, Passaic County has already started sending its prisoners to the jail in Bergen County.

Berdnik before his death was working with officials in Essex County to try to get officers losing their jobs hired at the jail there. John Welsh, president of the union that represents the sheriff’s correctional officers, wondered if officials would reconsider the job cuts in the aftermath of Berdnik’s suicide.

“With this tragedy that just occurred, I’m worried about my members who are about to lose their jobs,” Welsh said. “I hope it doesn’t set some sort of precedent. But sometimes you have copycats.”

Brian Higgins, theformer Bergen County police chief who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, noted the high rate of suicides among police. He said it would be important for the Sheriff's Office to make counseling available to its officers, but he also said the decision on whether to make such sessions optional or mandatory is a tough one.

“If you make it voluntary, a lot of people are not going to participate,” the former chief said. “But if you force people, their walls go right up.”

County officials have not said whether Berdnik’s death will affect the layoff plan.

Wake, funeral planned: Funeral arrangements set for longtime Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik

The FBI's case is another cloud

The other cloud over the department is the FBI case.The complaint against the three jail guards accused of assaulting a pretrial detainee in 2021 — Sgts. Jose Gonzalez, 45, and Donald Vinales, 38, and Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39—said four other unnamed officers played roles in the incident.

Federal authorities identified the others as Officer-1, who they said was splashed with urine by the prisoner later beaten by guards; Officer-2 and Officer-4, who allegedly witnessed the beating but didn’t intervene; and Officer-3, who is accused of agreeing with Officer-2, Officer-4 and the three arrested guards to “keep their mouths shut” about what happened.

The United States Attorney’s Office has not said whether it plans to file charges against any of the unnamed sheriff’s officers.

People in the Sheriff’s Office acknowledged that the FBI case is an important issue. But they said the allegations are not a monumental problem that would hamstring the department for the long term.

“We’re cops. We’ll get through it,” said Welsh.

Bill Maer, the longtime spokesman for the Passaic sheriff’s office, said the department assisted the FBI in the probe.

“Although it’s unfortunate and disappointing, it does not define or take away from the great work the department does,” Maer said. “It should not diminish the public’s view of the department.”

'A legacy of sacrifice and service': Officials remember Passaic Sheriff Richard Berdnik

'All kinds of questions'

The recent case echoes problems highlighted more than a decade ago, when county officials agreed to allow monitoring and other interventions at the jail to settle an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit about inhumane and unconstitutional conditions.

“There’s been all kinds of questions about inhumane conditions at the jail for many years,” said Jason Williams, an associate professor of justice studies at Montclair State University and a member of Black Lives Matter. “But most people wouldn’t know that, because we don’t hear much about it.”

Williams said Berdnik’s own community outreach efforts helped boost his department’s image.

“The sheriff worked very hard to gain the trust of the residents,” Williams said. “He gave off this sense of authenticity. He was a breath of fresh air. The next person is going to have big shoes to fill.”

Gary Giardina, the top-ranking undersheriff and the former Clifton police chief, took the oath of office as acting sheriff on Wednesday. A special election for the final year of Berdnik’s term will be held in November. Until then, state law allows Gov. Phil Murphy to appoint someone for the interim role.

MicahRasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, said the FBI investigation and impending layoffs put the sheriff’s department in a “pivotal position."

“This is not a good time for them to be rudderless,” Rasmussen said. “They need strong leadership."

Tyler Jones, a spokesman for Murphy, declined to comment when asked whether the governor planned to appoint someone.

Maer said Giardina acted quickly in the aftermath of Berdnik’s death to keep the sheriff’s office running as smooth as possible under the circ*mstances. Giardina immediately met with the department’s executive staff and then attended every roll call of the rank-and-file officers.

“He has the ability to lead the department not just today, but into the future,” Maer said. “He will make sure the department continues to serve the residents of Passaic County.”

Higgins said he worked with Giardina when the two of them were police chiefs. Higgins called Giardina a strong choice to fill the job for the next 10 months, saying his experience will bring the Sheriff's Office the stability it needs right now.

“They don’t need to look for someone else,” Higgins said.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

Seven days shook the Passaic County Sheriff's Office: What comes after Berdnik's death? (2024)

FAQs

What happened to sheriff Richard Berdnik? ›

In a shocking development, Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik took his own life after entering the bathroom of a popular restaurant in Clifton Wednesday afternoon. It's a place where many in law enforcement and politics enjoy a meal.

What happened to the sheriff in Paterson? ›

Longtime Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shot himself inside the bathroom of a Clifton restaurant Tuesday afternoon. According to county officials, Berdnik had concluded an appearance at a ceremony in Paterson, where the owner of Toros restaurant was honored with a key to the city.

Was Sheriff Berdnik married? ›

Sheriff Berdnik is a Parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at Clifton's St. Andrew's Church and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. For nearly thirty years, Richard Berdnik has been married to his wife, Monica Berdnik, who is a pediatric nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson; they have four adult children.

How old was the Passaic County sheriff? ›

2022 for what would have been his fifth three-year term. Berdnik was in his mid-60s. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik,” said Governor Phil Murphy in a statement.

Was Passaic County sheriff married? ›

PASSAIC COUNTY—The family of the late Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, led by his wife Monica Berdnik, released the following statement endorsing Chief Thomas Adamo for Passaic County Sheriff and his running mates, County Commissioner candidates Cassandra “Sandi” Lazzara, Rodney De Vore, and John Bartlett.

Is the Passaic County Jail closing? ›

Layoffs tied to closing of county's jail

The county's plan came after bail reform in 2017 reduced the jail's population from more than 1,000 at times to less than capacity. With the jail's closing, fewer correctional officers are needed, officials said.

Who is the acting Sheriff in Passaic County? ›

As Acting Sheriff, Gary F. Giardina commands the day to day operational activities of the department.

Who is Officer Berdnik Clifton NJ? ›

Berdnik, a longtime law enforcement officer with deep ties to North Jersey, fatally shot himself Tuesday afternoon at a well-known Turkish restaurant in Clifton, multiple sources said. Berdnik went into the bathroom at Toros on Hazel Street, and soon after, people in the restaurant heard a gunshot, sources said.

Who is Richard Berdnik? ›

For more than four decades, Sheriff Berdnik courageously served the people of New Jersey -- from his days as a police officer on the streets of Clifton to his five consecutive terms as the 49th Sheriff of Passaic County.

What is the county of Passaic? ›

Passaic County borders New York State on the north and is surrounded on the other sides by Sussex, Morris, Essex and Bergen counties in New Jersey. Passaic County has 186 square miles of land area, making it the 18th in size among New Jersey's counties.

Who is the wife of sheriff Bianco? ›

He and his wife, Denise, live in the Woodcrest area of Riverside.

Who is the wife of sheriff Troy Berry? ›

Sheriff Berry lives in White Plains with his wife, Angela.

What happened to Passaic sheriff? ›

The sheriff of Passaic County, New Jersey, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday, according to law enforcement sources, one week after the sheriff's department was embroiled in turmoil, including layoffs and charges against officers accused of beating an inmate.

How many people are in the Passaic County Jail? ›

The jail held about 700 inmates before officials in December 2021 confirmed a plan to regionalize operations at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack.

How did Passaic County get its name? ›

Passaic county was founded in 1837 and named for the Passaic River. The industrial cities of Paterson, Passaic, and Clifton help make manufacturing (plastics and search and navigation equipment) the main economic activity.

Who is current Hendricks county sheriff? ›

Sheriff Jack Sadler

Where is Steven Seagal a deputy sheriff at? ›

In 2011, Seagal was first deputized by Hudspeth County in Texas. He is also is a fully-commissioned deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana.

Who is Clark county sheriff now? ›

Sheriff of Clark County
Incumbent Kevin McMahill since January 2, 2023
StyleThe Honorable
ResidenceClark County, Nevada, U.S.
Term lengthFour years, no term limits.
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