Sheriff's Office promotes new chief sheriff's officer

Capt. John Cerrato has been promoted to chief sheriff's officer by Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley. The newly appointed chief was administered the Oath of Office by Assignment Judge Lawrence Lawson recently in a brief ceremony at the Monmouth County Courthouse attended by family, friends and co-workers. Chief Cerrato succeeds Chief Thomas Reiff who retired after 28 years of service earlier this month.

Chief Cerrato has served with the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office since his commission as a sheriff's officer in May 1987. Cerrato was promoted to sergeant in May 1991 and lieutenant in November 1995. In October 1999, he was promoted to captain of the 117-member Law Enforcement Division of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office. He graduated from the New Jersey certified public manager program for Law and Public Safety in 1999. He is a graduate of the 11-week FBI National Academy, 214th session. Chief Cerrato holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Rutgers University and a Master of Administration degree from Farleigh Dickinson University. Cerrato resides in Freehold Township with his wife, Kathy, and three daughters.

"John Cerrato has been a lynchpin in my pursuit of excellence in the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office during my 12-year tenure as Monmouth County sheriff," said Oxley. "Monmouth County residents will be well served with dedication and professionalism with John Cerrato as the chief uniformed law enforcement executive in the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office. It is with pleasure that I make this promotion."