01/01/2026
Message from Colonel Callahan
Photo is courtesy of Captain Tom Van Tassel(NJSP Retired)
To My State Police Family,
As I prepare to hang up this French Blue uniform for the last time and make that trip to Building 17 to turn in all of my issued equipment, I find myself reflecting not on rank or position, but on the long line of men and women who built the foundation upon which I proudly served.
This message is for you, our Former Troopers, who carried the torch before us and shaped this organization into what it is today.
When I first reported for duty at Somerville Station on April 10, 1995, many of you were already legends in our halls. You set the standards of
discipline, courage, and character that still guide our troopers on the road today. You taught us that authority is nothing without integrity, that professionalism is forged in the quiet hours when no one is watching, and that service to the public is both a privilege and a "solemn responsibility which we are to do with a “respectful bearing on
all classes” as Colonel Schwarzkopf directed in General Order #1 he signed on December 5, 1921.
Your years on the road, in the barracks, in the classrooms, and in the command posts laid the groundwork for every success we celebrate now.
The equipment and technology have advanced. The training has evolved.
The world around us changes faster than ever. But the principles you instilled—Honor, Duty, Fidelity, coupled with accountability, resilience, and dedication to service remain unchanged and unwavering.
As I retire, I am humbled to have followed in your footsteps. I have witnessed firsthand how the examples you set continue to echo through
the actions of today’s troopers. Every time a young trooper chooses patience over anger, truth over convenience, or courage over fear, I see your legacy at work. And to every single one of you that has ever had the privilege to call yourself a Jersey Trooper, from the newest recruit to the most seasoned retiree that has contributed to the legacy of this phenomenal organization, you have stood and continue to stand the watch
in the darkest hours, in the harshest conditions, and in moments when the stakes could not have been higher. You have answered calls that most
people run from, and you have done so with courage, professionalism, and a deep commitment to the people we serve. That, I trust, will never
change.
I have often said that the strength of this agency is not found in its buildings, its vehicles, or its equipment, but that it is found in its people. It is found in the trooper on a lonely stretch of highway at 3 a.m.; in the Major Crime or CIO detective who refuses to give up on a victim; in the Sergeant and Trooper Coach mentoring a young trooper; in the civilian staff who keep us moving and mission-ready; and in the former troopers who paved the road we walk today. And to the Former Troopers who still stop by barracks to offer
guidance, who volunteer in their communities wearing an NJSP baseball cap or sweatshirt, with a triangle displayed in spirit and pride, who
check in on our sick or injured, who attend funerals to honor the fallen, you are the living memory of this Outfit. You remind us of where
we came from, what we stand for, and most importantly, where we are going.
As I step away from active service, I now join your ranks, grateful for the bond that will always unite us. Retirement may move us out of our Class A blouses and summer shirts, but it does not remove us from this family. The oath we took on our graduation day did not come with an expiration date. Thank you for showing us how to lead, how to serve, and how to carry ourselves with dignity. Thank you for giving your strength, your years, and sometimes more than either should have demanded. And thank you for leaving us a legacy worthy of defending against those who try to tear more than a century of service down.
May the road rise to meet each of you, may this Outfit we love remain forever guided by the values you taught us and until we meet again, may God hold you all in the hollow of his hand.
God bless and as always, stay safe out there!
“5-Comm…5243 will be 22.”
– Colonel Patrick J. Callahan #5243
