By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Rutherford Public Schools, Lincoln School PR, Rutherford Police Department, Rutherford PBA, Kim Bogosian (Public Information Officer), RPD Lieutenant Julie Zeigler, 55 Kip Center, and RPD Sergeant Tom Lewis
On January 31st, members of the Rutherford Police Department and staff, Borough employees, teachers and students from the Rutherford Public Schools, Board of Education members, friends, family, and community members gathered for a clap out honoring Detective Alford Anderson, III as he retired and stepped out of the Rutherford Police Department for the last time as a Detective with the RPD.
For the past twenty years, Detective Anderson has also held the position of School Resource Officer for the Rutherford Public Schools. His desire to serve his community and his country began back in 1988.
In 1988 Al Anderson enlisted and served in the United States Navy for four years.
Once his military service was completed, he started his position as a Passaic County Juvenile Corrections Officer. In 1997, Anderson became a Rutherford Police Officer. For twenty years, Detective Anderson served as the Rutherford Police Department's School Resource Officer and a Detective on the force for the past eight years.
In 2022, Detective Anderson was awarded the Bergen County Prosecutor's School Resource Officer Excellence Award for his dedication to the safety and well-being of students in the Rutherford Public School District (see photos below).
Detective Anderson was the first member of the Rutherford Police Department to serve as a Bergen County Police Academy Instructor and has done so for the last twenty-five years. As an Instructor, he has taught classes about Unarmed Defense, Motor Vehicle Stops, and Crimes in Progress.
Additionally, Detective Anderson has been a member of the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force for the last twenty years. He joined the Command Staff of the Bergen County RDF in 2013.
Throughout his years as an Officer and Detective with the Rutherford Police Department, Detective Anderson has given back to his community in so many ways. His service extended beyond the schools to teaching self-defense classes at the Kip Center, town-wide events, and much more. He has left an indelible mark on his community, his hometown.
A great, great person..... and what a wonderful example to all of our community... Clap clap clap Detective Anderson....