Law Enforcement Career
Browse photographs, commendations, certifications and more from Stan Fitzgerald’s 13-year law enforcement career with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in Newark, New Jersey.
During his law enforcement career, Fitzgerald received multiple citations and commendations for bravery and exceptional duty.
As a narcotics detective, Fitzgerald trained with the NYPD HIDTA unit, the New Jersey State Police, the DEA, and other agencies. He made hundreds of arrests, served as the affiant on numerous search warrants, and testified in multiple cases as a court-qualified expert in investigative procedures and narcotics enforcement.
He also served on loan to specialized units including the DEA Task Force, the Prosecutor’s Major Case Squad, and WESTNET suburban narcotics enforcement, along with additional assignments.
In 1999, Fitzgerald retired from law enforcement after sustaining line-of-duty injuries and living with PTSD, including an incident in which he was struck by a drug dealer’s vehicle during an attempted arrest evasion.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Bravery in Arrest of Armed Suspect — December 3, 1993
Director Robert J. Scarrillo commended Detective Stanley Fitzgerald for courageously arresting an armed suspect while working alone on surveillance. The suspect carried a .38-caliber revolver; three vials of cocaine were…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Heroin Investigation and Two Arrests — November 22, 1993
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow officers were commended for an investigation resulting in two arrests and the seizure of 14 grams of uncut rock heroin.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Heroin Investigation and Firearm Seizure — July 20, 1993
The Sheriff's Office recognized Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow investigators for executing a search warrant, making two arrests involving heroin allegations and recovering two additional firearms.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Cocaine Seizure and Police Scanner Recovery — July 7, 1993
A July 7, 1993 commendation recognizes Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow officers for a narcotics investigation leading to two arrests, the seizure of 670 vials of cocaine, and recovery of…
Stan Fitzgerald Recognized in Major Narcotics and Firearms Investigation — June 30, 1993
An extended June 30, 1993 memorandum recognizes members of the Essex County Bureau of Narcotics, including Detective Stanley Fitzgerald, for a major multiagency narcotics and firearms investigation. The full original…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Cocaine Investigation — June 2, 1993
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues were recognized for a narcotics investigation resulting in two arrests, 13 grams of cocaine seized, and additional evidence recovered from a sewage drain.
Stan Fitzgerald Recognized in Heroin Investigation and Arrests — May 6, 1993
A separate commendation on the same uploaded sheet identifies Detective Stanley Fitzgerald among officers involved in a heroin investigation and arrests.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended in Cocaine Seizure and Three Arrests — March 12, 1993
The Bureau of Narcotics commended Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and other investigators for a thorough search uncovering 21.2 grams of cocaine in two containers, resulting in three arrests.
Stan Fitzgerald report of weapon discharge during Narcotics Investigation — October 6, 1992
A 1992 Bureau of Narcotics memorandum documents Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and a police K-9 operation involving a suspect and a search warrant. The original archival photograph includes an attached evidence…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for 480-Vial Cocaine Seizure — August 17, 1992
Detectives Stanley Fitzgerald, Anthony Paradiso and Peter Surdi were commended for apprehending two drug dealers and locating a stash containing 480 vials of cocaine.
Stan Fitzgerald Recognized in Major Drug Dealer Investigation — July 30, 1992
A second July 30, 1992 memorandum recognizes Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow narcotics investigators following the arrest of a suspected major street drug dealer and the seizure of 6.9 grams…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Cocaine Seizure and Two Arrests — July 30, 1992
Director Robert J. Scarrillo congratulated detectives including Stanley Fitzgerald for a narcotics investigation in Newark and North Arlington that resulted in two arrests and the seizure of 32 grams of…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for 129-Gram Cocaine Seizure — June 22, 1992
A June 22, 1992 commendation recognizes Detective Stanley Fitzgerald, Lieutenant Orlando Caprio, and fellow Bureau of Narcotics investigators for an arrest and seizure of 129 grams of cocaine. An evidence…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Four Arrests and Firearm Seizure — March 11, 1992
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues were recognized for a narcotics investigation resulting in four arrests, 64 vials of cocaine and seizure of a .45-caliber handgun.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Three Arrests and 95 Cocaine Vials — January 13, 1992
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues were recognized for an Orange, New Jersey investigation resulting in three arrests and the seizure of 95 vials of cocaine.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Cocaine and Firearm Seizure — December 6, 1991
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald was among officers commended following an undercover investigation leading to an arrest and the seizure of cocaine, an M-11 firearm and a 1990 Infiniti coupe. The newspaper…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for 114-Vial Cocaine Seizure — November 26, 1991
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues were commended for responding to narcotics complaints near Alexander Street, Newark, in an investigation resulting in a juvenile arrest and seizure of 114 vials of…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Cocaine and Firearm Seizure — October 25, 1991
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow officers were commended for an investigation resulting in the arrest of a father and son, seizure of 93 grams of cocaine and a .38-caliber Smith…
Stan Fitzgerald Recognized for Narcotics and Firearms Seizure — September 24, 1991
A September 24, 1991 Sheriff's Bureau of Narcotics memorandum commends Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues for an investigation involving cocaine, marijuana, cash and jewelry. An accompanying newspaper clipping and evidence…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Undercover Narcotics Operation — August 26, 1991
A Bureau of Narcotics memorandum recognizes Detective Stanley Fitzgerald for providing backup during an undercover drug purchase that resulted in two arrests.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Undercover Cocaine Arrest — August 22, 1991
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow officers were commended for an undercover cocaine investigation at 271 Goldsmith Avenue in Newark resulting in an arrest and seizure of an additional 39 grams…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Two Arrests and Prescription Drug Seizure — August 7, 1991
The Sheriff's Bureau of Narcotics commended Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues for searching an abandoned house and recovering 75 Doriden tablets and 45 Empirin with Codeine tablets during an investigation…
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Undercover Cocaine Investigation — August 5, 1991
Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and fellow officers were commended following an undercover cocaine investigation that resulted in two arrests, the seizure of cocaine and a 1986 BMW.
Stan Fitzgerald Commended for Steroid Seizure and Vehicle Pursuit — July 23, 1991
A July 23, 1991 commendation recognizes Detective Stanley Fitzgerald and colleagues after a steroid seizure valued at more than $25,000, a vehicle confrontation and an arrest. The newspaper clipping reports…