Retiring chief lauded for improving force

BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

JAMESBURG - Police Chief Paul Karkoska came full circle in the town he protected.

Attending Jamesburg schools in his youth, he returned there often during his 25-year career with the police force. Now that he is retiring, the children with whom he has formed bonds, along with borough officials, are bidding him a wistful farewell.

"He got just a ton of cards from the kids. One card said, 'Good luck at the retiring home,'" Councilman Otto Kostbar said. "He's just an excellent policeman, an excellent leader."

Karkoska began spending a good deal of time in the school district early in his career, borough officials said. According to Mayor Anthony LaMantia, Karkoska visited schools daily even before he became chief.

During his career, he began the traditions of giving out candy canes to students at the start of holiday break, and ice pops on the last day of school, LaMantia said. At the end

of summer, Karkoska would cook for the youngsters on their last day of camp.

"He showed a lot of presence in the schools," acting Police Chief Martin Horvath said. "A lot of kids really identified with that."

Horvath, a lieutenant who has worked with Karkoska for 21 years, is expected to succeed him in the position of chief.

Councilwoman and Police Commissioner Barbara Carpenter lauded Karkoska's work in the department, especially with the children.

"What greater role model for children than a police officer? Especially for small towns, it's important to see that," Carpenter said. "Maybe one day they'll want to become a police officer. He's like the Pied Piper, with kids surrounding him."

After years of working his way up through the ranks from patrolman to sergeant to lieutenant, Karkoska officially became chief in January. He served 10 months as acting chief prior to that time, when longtime chief David Lester retired.

"He's a good chief," Horvath said. "His tenure [as chief] was short, but he certainly made the most of it."

As one of the first Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers in Middlesex County, Karkoska racked up eight years of training in the program between 1991 and 1999, Horvath said.

According to LaMantia, Karkoska made a number of positive changes to the police department during his career. Among them was placing certain officers in charge of the various departments within the force, in order to distribute responsibilities evenly.

"In the short period of time that he was chief, he was working to better the police department," LaMantia said. "He's been doing that all along."

While officials said they are sad to see Karkoska go, they are also pleased with his successor.

"I think [Horvath] is going to do a wonderful job," Carpenter said. "He's going to be excellent."

Retirement will allow Karkoska to enjoy more time with his wife and two grown children. Not officially finished with his time on the force, he will be using his accumulated leave until the end of the year.

"I wish him a happy retirement," borough zoning official and Community Development Director Bernie Long said. "He was definitely an outstanding police chief. It didn't get much better than him."

The children of Jamesburg seem to agree, because their letters and cards expressed how much they will miss him.

"That's something to be proud of," Carpenter said.