September 11, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Franklin Lakes Mayor and council honor local police officers “In recognition of his years of exceptional service,” Bivona continued, “Cook was promoted to the position of sergeant on Sept. 21, 2011, and, during his career with the police department, Cook acted in a number of capacities, including patrol squad supervisor, departmental honor guard commander, supervising firearms instructor, active shooter training instructor; Schools Safety Committee member, and departmental armorer, or one who makes armor and weapons and repairs and maintains small arms.” Bivona emphasized that Cook was also primarily responsible, over a number of years, for the development and modernization of the department’s firearms training program. He was also the recipient of two mayor and (continued on page 10) Mayor Frank Bivona presents retiring Sergeant William Cook with a proclamation honoring him for his 25 years of service. Pictured are Bivona, Mariruth Cook, Dolores Cook, Sergeant William Cook, Police Chief Joseph Seltenrich, Councilwoman Natalie Lota, and Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey. by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona and the borough council recently honored two police officers at a public meeting. Sergeant William Cook was honored for his retirement from the borough’s police department and Patrolman Denny Knubel, who is also the borough’s fire chief, was honored for his appointment to the traffic offi- cer’s post. “We have a good man retiring and another good man going into the traffic department,” Police Chief Joseph Seltenrich told the crowd of well wishers at the council meeting. “This is a positive for the police department and I expect nothing from him but an outstanding job,” Selten- rich said of Knubel’s appointment. Seltenrich also spoke highly of Cook, saying, “He came to the department 25 years ago and immediately became an integral part of the department and all the positive things we do. He was a firearms instructor and he brought that duty to a higher level. In my opinion, he is the best in the county and he brought character and integrity to the department that is unmatched. He made my job easier over the years and he made the department proud.” Cook’s retirement became effective Sept. 1. The procla- mation read by Mayor Bivona stated that Cook had served dutifully and with distinction with the police department for over 25 years, having been appointed to the depart- ment on Aug. 10, 1988.